R.M.A. Conference
Page 68
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surprised delegates by expressing his " dissatisfaction " at the resolutions that were being discussed by the conference. "1 would be failing in my duty as an elected member of the Association if I did not express my dissatisfaction," he said. "1 would respectfully suggest that our executive in future consider resolutions of a more controversial nature in respect of the Association and the industry."
The Northern area resolution was unanimously carried.
Mr. J. P. Wells, moving that the conference should welcome the idea of the National Productivity Year, and calling upon the Association to do all it could to make it a success, said that methods of handling goods were slow to change. Where they were obsolete, it might be necessary not only to introduce some form of static or mechanical handling, but to undertake planning involving extensive structural work at considerable expense. This would be justified in view of the long-term transport economies. It was necessary, he said, to create a more intimate relationship with managements in order to achieve a closer understanding of transport economics.
Consult Before Rebuilding Seconding the resolution, Mr. E. West said that the customer would do well to consult his haulier before rebuilding or replanning his premises with a view to the type of handling equipment to be provided. Mr. J. W. Darvell suggested that transport was no longer a sellers' market. They were all living in the past. The haulier could not dictate to his customer any more. He, personally, rejected the resolution, but it was carried . almost unanimously.
The conference accepted a West Midland resolution proposed by Mr. G. W. Mousley that full third-party cover should be the minimum insurance for all road vehicles. Mr. Mousley drew the delegates' attention to the fact that it was not generally known that insurance companies will issue a policy to cover Road Traffic Act requirements only. Such policies did not cover the death or injury of other persons using the road, or liabilities to other vehicles or property. Instances were known, he said, where an aggrieved party had received no compensation whatever because a driver or owner was not fully insured. Mr. J. W. Richardson seconded the resolution.
Specify Fuel Contents Resolution Eight aroused a certain amount of prolonged discussion among the delegates. Proposed by the West Midland area, it read "that suppliers of fuel oil for road vehicles should make available to the road haulage industry the specification of fuel supplied." Proposing, Mr. A. C. W. Neely said that for many years it had been a popular belief that, as fuel oil could not freeze at tempera 1334 tures experienced during the winter, the sole cause for breakdown was an accumulation of water in the filter due to poor maintenance, and that it was this which froze, blocking the fuel feed. He had obtained figures for viscosity for two competitive fuel oils which showed that one brand was between two and four times more viscous than the other, depending upon temperature. It was in an operator's own interest to show sufficient interest in the fuel supplied him to ensure that it would flow freely at temniratures at which his vehicles were expected to operate.
Black Smoke Causes
One could reasonably say that "there were three prime causes of black smoke: mechanical failure or poor maintenance, initial engine design, and the fuel used. Whilst not suggesting that black smoke was solely due to inferior fuel, MT. Neely said that if operators were prepared to accept their responsibilities it was reasonable to expect the fuel companies to face up to theirs and furnish the specification of the fuel they supplied_ It appeared that there was some reluctance on the part of fuel suppliers to commit themselves to giving a standard quality of fuel and it would seem that there were variations in qualitynot only between individual suppliers. but also between different depots of the same supplier.
Seconding. Mr. N. Cartwright said that he hoped that more searching limits would be adopted than in British Standard No. 2869:1957 which was currently in use. Sulphur was present in diesel oil in varying degrees. It was not combustible and although not necessarily detrimental to the operation of the engine, it served no useful purpose. When ejected in the exhaust smoke, even under clear exhaust smoke conditions, it caused pollution of the atmosphere. If it were not possible to eliminate sulphur, then in the public interest it should be kept to a minimum, he suggested. The British Standard specification in question said that sulphur content should not exceed 1.3 per cent. "With all credit due to our suppliers, I understand that the maximum sulphur content supplied in fuel is generally somewhat less than half that figure," he added.
Several delegates suggested that fuel should be sold in certain grades, in the same way that petrol was. The resolution was unanimously carried.
An R.H.A Handbook
Full agreement was reached on the ninth resolution, that the Association should give consideration to the publication of a handbook or manual with sections devoted to common trade practices in the various types of traffic, simple interpretation and explanation of the various regulations, advice on and examples of costing methods and other matters considered useful and interesting to members. Mr. J. Barrie proposed the resolution which was seconded by Mr. J. G. Russell. Mr. Frank Lyon, R.H.A. publicity officer, said that some sort of loose-leaf book would be practical but he was not sure that all the subjects mentioned should go into a single publication. The cost would be high. It might well be that a series of pamphlets in the Association's journal might be the answer.
Mr. H. Bell said that the 12.11,A. was one of the few associations which did not produce such a handbook. After a considerable amount of discussion the resolution was carried.
Planning Problems In proposing the tenth resolution, Mr. R. Cropper suggested that the Association inquire in,to the impact of town and country planning on the road transport industry. The resolution was not concerned with highways and road planning as such but was concerned with the need for garages and premises both for the haulier and his customer. He visualized a permanent committee that would be able to deal with the problem. The committee would need to have some specialists to give advice but its main function would be first to collect information and deal with the difficulties of members, advising them where necessary and keeping in touch with Town and Country Planning authorities. Mr. E. W. Voller formally seconded this proposal which, after discussion, was carried.
Profit-sharing Plan Rejected
The only resolution to be lost was the eleventh, "that this conference recommends the examination of the merit or otherwise of profit-sharing or co-partnership schemes." It was proposed by Mr. L. C. Matthews of the Devon and Cornwall Area, and seconded by Mr. H. F. Whitton; several delegates spoke in favour, but on a count of hands the resolution was rejected.
The final resolution, that the Construction and Use Regulations be amended so as to require the fitting of a dual braking system to all new vehicles exceeding 3 tons unladen weight, was carried. Mr. L. R. Robson, proposing the resolution, said that nobody could deny that with the present increases in speed and the volume of traffic on the roads, hauliers had to rely more and more on the efficiency of brakes. The proposal was seconded by Mr. G. J. Wilsdon.