"Prosecute Motorists Who Give Lifts"
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PROSECUTION of motorists who accepted money from passengers "to cover the cost of the petrol" was demanded on Tuesday by Mr. R. J. Ellery, chairman of East Midland Motor Services, Ltd. Addressing the shareholders, he said that action ought to be taken by the responsible authorities to stamp out the practice.
"It May not be easy," he said. "but difficulty is no excuse for inaction. The practice can have serious repercussions not only on operators of public transport, but also on the people who are dependent on the services which these operators provide."
The fine summer of last year had increased the patronage of excursion, tour and private-hire services, but it by no means brotaght a bumper harvest, Mr. Ellery declared. The greater part of the company's business consisted of stagecarriage work and, although fine weather undoubtedly tempted people to travel more, it encouraged some to do more walking, or to make increased use of "
fair-weather" conveYanees, such as bicycles and motor scooters.
Mr. Ellery was critical of the new claim for increased wages, which, if granted, must cause fares to be raised, followed by fresh wage claims. He thought the unions also intended to press again for a 40-hour week without loss of pay.