Labour Policy Hits 'looking Agents
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ANY action, irrespective of by whom it was taken, to reduce the amount of coach travel, had been and would be opposed by the Booking Agents' Association. This statement was made by Mr. R. A. Butt, honorary secretary of the Association, at the annual preseason meeting held at Victoria Coach Station, last week.
Discussing the policy of the B.A.A., Mr. Butt warned agents that the nationalization plans of the Labour Party would mean a smaller commission for them, probably in conjunction with a curtailment of coach services. Coach and bus fares would be .raised. The control and appointment of agents might become a regional matter, and there would probably be only one booking organization for each area.
Mr. Butt revealed that the B.A.A. had asked the Conservative and Liberal parties to ensure that their candidates in the election should speak more often on the parties' anti-nationalization opinions. Other speakers were Mr. J. H. Ewer, managing director of George Ewer and Co., Ltd., and a director of P.S.V. Operators, Ltd., and Mr. F. W. J. Robinson, general manager of London Coastal Coaches, Ltd. Mr. Robinson pointed out that in 1949, coach bookings had increased by 19 per cent. over the previous year_ In 1949, £1,260,000 of bookings were taken and 160,000 departures were recorded from Victoria Coach Station, compared with 100,000 in 1947.
Residents of Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch have decided to set up a committee of action to oppose the nationalization of the Bournemouth transport undertaking. All sections of the community would be represented, it was stated, to prevent the confiscation of so successful an undertaking which, in the past four years, had contributed £113.000 to the town rates. The present-day value of the undertaking. one of the finest in the country, it was stated, was practically £1,000,000.