What the Associations Are Doing
Page 45
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MR. WINSON AT C.M.U.A.
BRIGHTON AREA.
An interesting talk was given to the Brighton and District Area of the C.M.U.A., during a recent meeting at Lewes, by Mr. W. A. Winson, past president of the Association. The theme of his talk was the importance of unity among employers engaged in road transport, so that they could fight against unreasonable legislation.
Road transport, he said, pays one twelfth of the money raised by national taxation. Employers would, however, have to prepare for greater control, and greater difficulty in getting their licences. Since 1931, he pointed out, they had had to contend with a stream of restrictive control poured out upon the industry. The position now was that road transport was rigidly controlled, whilst the railways were given greater freedom of operation. The fiveyear licence, with no compensation, made the tenure of the road-transport operator extremely insecure.
Turning to the value of the Association, he pointed out that it could play a strong part in improving matters.
A further contribution to the meeting was made by Mr. T. W. Read, divisional organizer, who said that no other industry was so curbed. Other industries had organized to fight for their freedom, and the road-transport industry should do the same.
The speakers were thanked by Mr. J. H. Brown, chairman of the Brighton and District Area.
Publicity for Road Model.
An attractive booklet describing the latest edition of the B.R.F. road model, and making clear its purpose and force, has just been produced by the Federation. It will be available at places where the model is to be exhibited, whilst postcard photographs of this miniature road system are also to be used as publicity.
"Safe-ways "—Not "Speed-ways." " The road system of this country is the road system of the eighteenth century, with very few improvements, ' declared Mr. C. Boyd Bowman, of the B.R.F., in addressing the Plymouth Rotary Club last week on "Road Problems of the Day."
There was, he said, greater congestion on English roads than on those of any other country in the world, and they had done less to remedy it and to give themselves the roads they needed. They had added less than 2 per cent. to the road-mileage existing before the motor came, although since 1910 there had been an increase of 2,000 per cent. in the number of vehicles. They were trying to use, for the vehicles of the present day, roads which were constructed for the stage coach and the, solitary horseman!
Each year, insurance companies Paid £25,000,000 in Claims arising from motor accidents. That burden had to be borne by those who used the roads of the country—and there was nobody who did not use them. It was essential to the economic life of the country that we should have the most economic and the safest road transport that was possible. The only remedy was the provision of adequate roads. They did not want " speed-ways " but "safeways."
Too Fair to Foreigners?
• Should there be a marked indication of such need, the C.M.U.A. is prepared to take action in the matter of recent Ministry cif Transport regulations designed for the control of foreign public-service vehicles visiting Great Britain.
The regulations, which are called "The Public Service Vehicles (International Circulation) Provisional Regulations, 1938," give exemption, from several restrictions imposed on our own vehicles, to foreign publicservice vehicles making a temporary stay in this country.
The C.M.U.A. says; "Any further action in the matter will depend on the number of such foreign vehicles taking advantage of the regulations."
In effect, the regulations mean that such vehicles as are covered by them will not need to obtain:—
(a) P.S.V. licences.
(b) Certificates of fitness.
(c) Road Service licences.
(d) "D r i v ers' and conductors' licences.
It will not be necessary for such vehicles to carry fire extinguishers or first-aid outfits, nor will any of the regulations as to construction of gangways and exits, interior lights, standing passengers and carriage of the conductor, apply. C.M.U.A. AND "ORDER NO. 9 " THREAT.
Considerable interest has been taken, by the C.M.U.A., in an express-service renewal application made before the North Western Traffic Commissioners last month, and the hearing of which was adjourned.
The main point is that the railways, in the case of this application, put their objection in the form of a request that the Commissioners should apply the provisions of Order No. 9 to the case. It was pointed out by the applicant's representative, to the Commissioners, that they had never yet applied Order No. 9 to an express licence where no picking-up. points were in Manchester, and where it was a straight renewal, as was the case with this application.
Order No. 9 was an early Appeal decision in 1933, and restricted the number of vehicles to be used on many express services, in the North Western Area, to the number used in 1930 and 1931. The railways now claim that the restriction should be imposed on all services between Manchester and Blackpool.
The C.M.U.A. states: "The matter is one of considerable importance to operators, and the North Western Traffic Area Passenger Committee is fully alive to the dangers of such a contention and the possible extension of the Order."
Joint Vehicle Parade at Manchester.
This year the C.M:TJ.A. Manchester vehicle parade will be a joint effort by the Manchester and South-east Lancashire Areas, and, in consequence, a record entry is expected. Belle Vime is again to be the meeting place, the date for coaches being September 23. at 6.45 p.m., and for goods vehicles September 24, at 9.30 p.m. There will be a luncheon on the Saturday, at which Mr. W. Chamberlain. North Western Area Licensing Authority. and other notabilities are expected. A prize distribution will follow. Full details are obtainable from Mr. W. Farnorth, C.M.U.A., 28, Queen Street, Manchester, or from Mr. J. S. Howarth, C.M,U.A., 155, Cheethara Hill Road, Manchester.
Parade and Show in Bolton.
The joint organization formed by the Bolton and District Road Transport Association and the C.M.U.A. Bolton Area, will hold a Horse and Motor Show and Parade on Saturday, September 10. The time-table provides for the judging, at Moor Lane Market site, at 1 p.m.; the parade through the town, at 3.30 p.m. ; and the prize distribution at the Commercial Hotel, Bolton, at 6 p.m. Particulars and entry forms are obtainable from Mr, J. Greenhalgh, 37, Mawdsley Street, Bolton.