R.H.A. PROGRESS IN NORTHANTS
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THE first 'annual dinner Of the Northamptonshire sub-area of the Road Haulage Association, at Northampton, last Saturday, was an outstanding success.
Mr. B. J. Bagshaw, chairman of the sub-area, was in the chair, and amongst those present were the Mayor of Northampton, Alderman Albert Burrows, J.P., Wing Commander A. W. II. James, M.C., M.P., Lt.-Col. Sir Mervyn Manningham-Buller, Bt., M.P.; Lt.-Col. G. S. Eunson, president of Northampton Chamber of Commerce; Mr. J. S. Nicholl, vicechairman of the R.H.A.; Mr. G. A. Hotter, organizing officer; Mr. G. II. R Dalgleish, chairman of the East Midland Area; Mr. Frank Platte, chairman of the Leicestershire Area; Mr. E. 0. Gray, hon. secretary of the East Midland Area, and Mr. W. G. Eales, bon. secretary of the Northamptonshire s ub-area .
Mr. Nicholl stressed the amazing progress of the Association, the membership being 400 in 1932, and to-day 8,000. He pointed out that the roadhaulage industry is in a state of flux and that, whilst many may have thought that 1934 was a critical year, he warned them that the real battle would begin in 1936. Much of the sue cess which the Association had already achieved, and the respect in which it was held by the Government anti Licensing Authorities, were due in no small measure to the impressiye membership figure.
Referring to the question of roads, he remarked that motor users paid £67,000,000 in taxation last year, whilst the total this year would probably exceed £70,000,000. Of that aggregate, 25 per cent, was contributed by the goods-haulage section. In contrast, the cost of the roads, last year, was 462;000,000, and motor owners were justified in demanding that more money should be spent upon highways.
Mr. Hotter pointed out that the total number of men employed in road undertakings was 1,257,000, or 584,000 more than that employed by the railways. Whilst between 1921 and 1931 the road personnel had increased 'by 28 per cent., that of the railways had decreased by 14 per cent.
Mr. Eagshaw referred to the visit of " S.T.R." (The Commercial Motor costs expert) to the area during the past session and the lecture which he delivered on operating costs, and expressed the hone that they would have further assistance from the same source.