What the Associations Are Doing
Page 36
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LETTERS AS EVIDENCE IN PROSECUTIONS.
Dictatorial Powers
for New Association
Attention has been given by the Liverpool Cart and Motor Owners Association to a recent ruling by the Liverpool Stipendiary Magistrate to the effect that any letter which: an operator might send to the Licensing Authority, referring to alleged infringements of the regulations, is admissible as evidence in any prosecution which might be subsequently launched by the Authority.
The particular case was one in which a summons had been issued against a vehicle owner for a breach of the records regulations. The Licensing Authority sent a letter to the owner pointing out the complaiat and asking for an explanation.
As such replies may be used in evidence, Mr. Allen Walter (secretary of the Liverpool Cart and Motor Owners Association) advises a cautious attitude by the recipients. In Mr. Walter's opinion they should not reply to such letters until they obtain advice either from their own solicitors or their association.
C.M.U.A. Prospers at Macclesfield.
Compliments upon the manner in which the branch has developed were paid by Mr. W. E. Macve, Manchester Area chairman, who was the principal guest at the annual supper of the C.M.U.A. branch in Macclesfield.
Benefits that will be conferred upon operators as a result of the operations of the central licensing bureau were dealt with by Mr. Macve, who anticipated that this feature would result in membership becoming general in the haulage industry. Mr. F. Forster, branch chairman, presided over a company of about 50 persons.
Among those also present were Mr. H. H. Lapsley, Mr. W. A. Pilkington, Mr. Max Robinson and Mr. W. E. Harrison, representing the Manchester Area headquarters.
Railways May Become Dictators.
Subjects of vital interest were discused at a recent social-curn-business meeting, at Salisbury, of the Western Area of A.R.O., under the chairmanship of Mr. G. R. S. Sandeman.
Mr. E. T. Morey, of the Salisbury sub-area committee, was emphatic as to the need for joining the Association, in view of the big expenditure by the railways in organizing. The possibility of opposing interests contriving soon to become dictators was made clear.
Mr. H. W. Adams, vice-chairman, Western Area, stressed the energy expended by A.R.O. national executive committee in making representations to the Ministry of Transport on questions of road operators' licences.
New C.M.U.A. Branch Formed.
On Monday a branch of the Preston Area of the C.M.U.A. was formed at Longridge. Councillor J. Houghton, J.P., was elected chairman and Mr. Graham, secretary.
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FORMATION of a haulage contractors' association, with machinery not only to fix the minimum rates which members shall charge, but also to impose penalties for non-observance of these rates, is under consideration in Bradford.
A detailed scheme for the establishment and operation of the association has been drawn up. The object of the body will be to improve the organization of the road-transport industry in the West Riding of Yorkshire.
The scheme provides that each concern joining the association shall pay an entrance fee of £2 2s., and thereafter contribute a percentage of its monthly turnover. An accountant to be appointed, shall have the right at any time, without• previous notice, to inspect all members' books, and shall have full power to satisfy himself that the returns made by the members are accurate.
Any member undercutting the minimum ratc fixed by the Association shall pay a penalty amounting to the difference between the price which he actually charged and the scale price, plus such other sum as may be deemed advisable. Any member against whom complaint is made concerning rates will have the right to present his excuse, or case, before the Association's execu tive committe, but once the examining accountant has certified a breach of the scale of rates, the executive committee will have final authority to decide the penalty to be imposed.
Upon proof by a member that a customer has definitely transferred his business to another member as a result of the latter member's breach of the Association's scale of rates, the operator who has lost the business shall be entitled to compensation. This compensation will be paid out of the penalty imposed on the offending operator.
Any money received in penalties. which is not used for the payment of compensation, will be used for defraying the expenses of the Association.
At the end of each year, any balance in hand on the subscriptions account will be disposed of in the form of a dividend to the members, which will be transferred to an investment trust. Each member will receive his appropriate share in the trust, and the latter will be controlled by directors appointed from the executive committee of the Association. Trust funds will be available for the use of members.
The proposals have been submitted to Bradford Chamber of Trade's transport section, and they created a favourable impression. The section has adjourned consideration of the matter.