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THE C.M.U.A. ANNUAL LUNCHEON.

20th April 1920, Page 18
20th April 1920
Page 18
Page 18, 20th April 1920 — THE C.M.U.A. ANNUAL LUNCHEON.
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

TEIE NATIONAL COUNCIL of the Commercial Motor Users Association were not doomed this year to the disappointment which faced them [at their last great gathering a year ago when the expected Cabinet Minis i ters invited to the function found themselves -unable for

various reasons to attend. This year's luncheon was held at the Savoy Hotel, London, on Wednesday last, and among the 220 guests were to be noted the Rt. EOM Edward Shortt, K.C., M.P., the Home Secretary; Arthur Neal, M.P., Sir Charles de Bartotome, Sir George Beharrell, D.S.O., Sir Phillip Nash, K.C.M.G., C.B., ;Sir Francis Dunnell, K.C.B., Lt.-Col. Pickard, D.S.O., all of the Ministry of Transport; Sir John Cadman, K.C.M.G.; Sir Sidney Chapman, K.C.B., K.B.E., of the Board,of Trade; Sir W. Joynson-Hicks, Bart., M.P., just back from India.; Sir Frederic Nathan, K.B.E.; and a number of men prominent in the motor manufacturing industry and the motor transport industry. Mr. E. S. Shrapnell-Smith, C B Echairman of the C.M.U.A., presided.

The chairman's speech was devoted to the toast of "Motor Transport.ancl Motor Fuels." tHo showed .that motor transport has eanerged from a state Jf belittlement at all hands to one of deep-appreciation and understanding by the public, who, too, were 'gradually seeing that the expected light railways all over the country districts was quite a wrong idea. The Government, too, is taking an increasingly active interest in the needs.saf motor transport .,,He paid a personal compliment to Mr' .Shortt upon his work in connection with motor vehicle legislation, and to Mr. Neal, of the Ministry of Transport. Vurning to fuel, he referred' to the bounding demand for petrol here and in the United States, and said that the National Council did not. join in the attacks on the petrol groups, for recognizing that in the early days a great riskrwas taken when the Shell group entered the market. Whilst high' prices wereninwelcome, adequate supplies were more important than the saving of a. few pence per gallon. He went o'far as to say that Sir Marcus Samuel should stay in the industry and not sell out to any competing group, It seemed a strange appeal, but Mr. Shrapnell-Smith generally speaks "by-the book."

He emphasized the need for Government assistance and facilities for securing greater fuel supplies, for without ample transport the: develepmentt of '.the country's industries must, without a question, suffer a severe cheek, and without ample fubal the road motor transport must come to a standstill.

Mr. Edward Shortt showed, in acknowledging the toast, that he realized the importance of road transport, that he appreciated the fuel situation, and he supported the assertions that new sources of fuel must be developed. Mr. Neal also responding said that the Ministry of Transport was taking a much wider view of the value and needs of transport in its various forms than had been anticipated. by its earlier enemies. This country, he said, is vastly dependent upon inland transport because we draw so much of our supplies from overseas, and so much of our productions must be moved to the seaboard for our export trade.

Sir Marous Samuel put up a fighting speech, characterizing the petition of theA.A. and M.U. against the increase in petrol prices as a move based on sheer ignorance.He challonged Sir W. joynson-Hicks to get a, shilling from each of thesignatories to the petition, saying he would then himself give 81,000, the proceeds to go to increase the research fund with which the University of Cambridge had been. endowed. Re claimed that his company had always done the right thing, urged that they dould with advantage to the public be the beat distributors for all the benzole output, and said. that the Government should have taken its opportunities to secure control of the Shell group. He said lie would give a promise never to•selll out his shares to the United States, and that he and his brother held a.controlling interest.

Sir Wm. Joynson-Hicks refused to be drawn into a cussion with Sir Marcus. He said that everything said at the luncheon showecLthe need for a strong association of commercial vehicle users, with a strong committee and a strong chairman. The Ministry of Transport `had seen it was necessary to be on good terms with, and to make best use of, the C.M.U.A.

Mr. Lobjoit, the deputy chairman, replied happily, dealing with the value of the examinations ‘of drivers.

Sir Phillip Nash, in giving the toast of the chairman, said that,motoetransportin future was going tratiourish as it had never flourished before, and must be encouraged by legislation whereptecessary. A graceful act was the presentation of the Association's silver medal to Mrs. F. G. Bristow for the great help she had rendered to her husband in the work of the C.M.U.A. during the war.


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