LORD MAYOR OF BRISTOL SUPPORTS ROADS POLICY.
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We do need new roads built with the idea that, in the future, road trailsport is just as necessary and just as important as rail, air and sea trans port." So said the Lord Mayor of Bristol in replying to a toast proposed by Mr. G. Smart, chairman of the Western Area A.R.O.
The occasion was the sixth annual dinner of the area, held in Bristol on Saturday last, no fewer than 350 being present.
Mr. R. W. Sewill, national director of the Association, said that the wonderful road-transport services which were now operating throughout the country could he dated . back to the general strike of 1926.
Mr. J. F. E. Pye, chairman of the Metropolitan Area, A.R.O., proposed " The Ministry of Transport and the Licensing Authority," and referred particularly to the scandal of British roads.
Increase in C.M.U.A. Division Membership.
In its first annual report, published last week, the London and Home Counties Division of the C.M.U.A. states that since January 1 of last year, when• the division was founded, 376 new members have been enrolled and income has increased by over 50 per cent.
In consequence of this growth, it has been found necessary to transfer the headquarters of the division to 50, Charing Cross, London, S.W.1. The telephone number remains as before— Whitehall 8781-2.
Commissioners' Broad Hint.
A hint at the probable course of roadtransport legislation in the' future was given, last week, by Mr. Archibald Henderson, chairman of Southern Scotland Traffic Commissioners, speaking at the annual dinner of the Glasgow branch of the Industrial Transport Association, Glasgow.
He said: " When I issue a bus-service licence I issue with it a table of fares, hut when I grant a carrier's licence no such table of charges goes with it. There are no rates fixed for the carriage of goods yet. I will leave that with you as a thought."
Invitation from Minister.
The British Road Federation has accepted an invitation from the Ministry of Transport to send a small and informal deputation, with a view to amplifying the points set out in the Federation's memorandum on the Road and Rail Traffic Act, 1933, which was submitted last July to the Minister.
It will be recalled that the Minister recently stated, in answer to a question in the House of Commons, regarding the decision in the Blyth Transport Co. and B. and C.L. Transporters' case, that no proposal for amendment of the law regarding powers and duties of the Appeal 'Tribunal bad been made to him as a result of the decision. The B.R.F. pointed out to the Minister that the decision rested on the interpretation of the Act as a whole, and that twice in the past six months the Federation, with other national associations, had placed memoranda before the Minister, urgently asking him to amend the Act. It is satisfactory to note that the Minister has now invited the Federation to come before him again. It is expected that a meeting will be fixed for an early .date.
New Officers for West Midland Area, A. R .0.
Mr. J. Male, of Pensnett, Dudley, has been elected chairman of the West Midland Area of A.R.O., and Mr. J. W. Beresford vice-chairman for the same area.
Mr. Beresford and Captain Thompson are elected delegates to the National Haulage Sectional Board, with Mr. A. G. Dale as deputy for Mr. Beresford and Mr. Male as deputy for Captain Thompson.
Messrs. Summers and Churm are re-elected delegates to the Ancillary Users Sectional Board.
B.R.F.'s New Policy.
A "Statement of Policy" publication is now being issued by the British Road Federation. Particular emphasis is, of course, laid on the welfare of the road haulage industry, in which sphere the Federation has done so much effective work.
Under the heading " Free Choice of Transport Facilities," the statement says, " It is of the utmost importance that traders should retain the right to send their goods by road, rail, water or air and to send them either in their own vehicles or by hired transport, as may suit them best," and " Any legislation designed to limit further the radius of action or functions of goods or passenger-carrying vehicles is undesirable, as it is contrary to the national interest."
Another section of the statement criticizes the system of taxation on road transport, with the following observation: ". . read transport is, at present, taxed partly for the purpose of providing a direct subsidy . to the basic industries, and to agriculture, and an indirect subsidy to rail transport."
, Cattle Hauliers to Benefit.
Improvements which will greatly benefit cattle hauliers are being carried out at Wolverhampton Smithfield, following the efforts 6f Mr. d. F. Goodwin, secretary of the West Midland Area of A.R.O.
B.R.F. Increases Its Membership, The Traders Traffic Conference has been elected to associate-membership of the B.R.F., bringing the total number of affiliated organizations up to 55, The Traders Traffic Conference, which was incorporated in 1915, is a.national body incorporating important industrial concerns which are large users of C-licence vehicles.