Merger of Metropolitan Associations
Page 36
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AT the annual general meeting of the London and Home Counties Haulage Contractors' Association, of which Mr. R. P. Bailey is the secretary, Mr. J. H. Turner was re-elected president. Messrs. F. Hoar, J.P., F. N. Wentworth, G. T. M. Fairclough, W. F. French, J. Pollitzer and D. J. Maile were elected vice-presidents, and 22 well-known members of leading haulage concerns were elected to the council.
In his report of the year's work, the president referred to an application for relief of taxation which had been addressed to the Chancellor. In it was included a 25 per cent, reduction in taxation on all commercial vehicles and 2d. per gallon off fuel.
The question of axle weights was receiving attention, and the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry had recently stated that draft regulations, allowing nine tons as a maximum backaxle weight, would be issued shortly.
The Association is at present engaged upon an important appeal case as to the wording of the Road and Rail Traffic Act and the construction which is placed upon it. This applies particularly to renewals and variations.
Mr. Turner stated that he was not happy about the keeping of records. He was sure that " faking" was prevalent, and, although in many cases B22 proceedings were instituted, he felt that stronger action was essential. Many members had availed themselves of the facilities offered under the legaldefence scheme, whereby, for the payment of 5s. per vehicle per year, legal representation at police courts, in respect of proceedings instituted for technical offences, is provided.
An amalgamation with the Metropolitan and Home Counties Road Transport Contractors' Association had been made effective and, during the year, three of the London Association members had taken their seats on the London council of the former. The Metropolitan Association consists, in the main, of members, the chief interests of whom are in municipal road and building operations.
During the year, a Smithfield meatcarriers' section had been formed.
Efforts had been made to ameliorate the situation regarding delays at docks, wharv.es and markets, with marked success in the case of the first two. A number of constructive proposals for the improvement of traffic in the London area had been put forward, and a great deal of time had been taken up in the work of the National Joint Conciliation Board.
A substantial increase of membership was recorded, and, during the past two years, it had doubled.