WITH THE M.T.A. AT NOTTINGHAM.
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Fruitful Discussions upon the Commercial Motor Situation and Outlo6k as well as the Coal-gas Issue.
BY SELECTING Nottingham, with its charming environs of Sherwood. Forest, as a meeting place, it is open to suggestien by that section of the motor Press still unconvinced of the bona, fides of this Association that the motor traders of the country are trying to emulate the methods of Robin Hood and his merry men. The proceetlings of Thursday last, however, were carried out in stricaeonformity with law and Order, even the High Sheriff—that terror of evil-doers—was a willing aider and abettor in the cause of commercial unity. He backed up his genial Mayor, Councillor J. E. Pendleton, JaP., in confirming
a most cordial welcome to the visitors. •
.Healthy Rapid Growth.
The civicrelcome over, the business proceeded With the regular monthly meeting of tlie executive committee of the Agents Section, Ltd. The election of a hundred new members was ticked off, and the membership manager's—Mr. E. W. Gsanon's—able report on behalf of the membership department was read and.favourably commented upon. Beginning the year with the aim of securing 500 new members during 1917, up to 8th September 816 applicatjohs had been accepted, and this does not include 356 enrolments with the Motor Hirers Section of the M.T.A., evidence, truly, of exceedingly healthy development:
A report on the result of divisional meetings held for the purpose of discussing the question of contracts for commercial , vehicles produced several practical suggestions. The chairman thought that the time had arrived when the motor dealers should show the manufacturers that they had business to offer and agree in some generally accepted terms on the question of agencies and contracts. Twenty-three, dealers in one division alone had agreed to place contracts. ()he speaker, however, said that the British makers did not seem to care two straws for the agents, and the only satisfaction he had received was from the firm of Messrs. Gaston, Williams and Wigrnore representing American productions.. Mr. Chilton made the practical suggestion that the Agents Section, Ltd., should collect evidence from all their divisions as to what had been sold in the way of commercial vehicles by traders and also their anticipations of what was likely to be sold in the future, so as to open the eyes of the manufacturers to the potentialities of the agents.
Agents Sold 1000 Coinmercial Vehicles.
Mr. F. Rowan, of Messrs. Gaston, Williams and Wigmore, said he had sold over 1000 commercial vehicles through one hundred and twentyaodd agents in the United Kingdom, and he testified his gratitude to the supportgiven to his concern. Mr. Dugdale suggested that agents should advise makers how many vehicles they could sell, but Mr. Tom Garner said that agencies in. his district—Manchester—had as much chance as a snowball in Hades, and that this applied equally to all big industrial centres having manufacturers' own depots. The Chairman poured oil on the troubled waters by tactfully suggesting that an effort should be made to show the manufacturers what excellent fellows the agents were. He knew nothing about the manufacturers, but believed they were equally excellent fellows. The thing was to get them to meet and fraternize a bit, introduce them to George Heath and his game of " Minoru " and all would be well.
Mutual congratulations passed on the success of the M.T.A. in. securing 15 per cent. profit to the dealer en petrol. The Chairman told us the petrol position C36 was serious, but, no change since the last meeting. Torn Garner applied the loud pedal about the persecution of the motor traded He said it was time we were "Up Guards and at 'cm I " Something should be dono to counteract the popularprejudice. Chairman turned on the cooling fan once more by reminding the meeting that the increases 'in. petrol prices were sanctioned by the' Cabinet, and no increases could be made arbitrarily by the Pool Board without Government sanction.
Mr. F. S. Bennett struck the right nail on the head by suggesting thatrthe views of the trade should be placed before the Cabinet. Mr. Coathupe, the ever ready, urged that divisional meetings of the association should be held throughout the country, and the &strict M.P.s invited to attend and take a gruelling like men. Mr. llugdale said it was the public who wanted educating properly to quell the growing prejudice, and Mr. Johnny Adams suggested cutting off at the meter the supply of cars to M.P.s for electioneering purposes. Everybody was worked bp' to a sense of action, and in this condition we made short work
sense, the excellent lunch provided by the Mayor at the Exchange Hall. We returned to the M.T.A. meeting feeling that "good digestion had waited on our appetites. '
Coal-gas Interest Created.
Here. Mr. Arthur Goodwin, chairman of the M.T.A., took command—a strong man in every sense. He had to deal with a few contentious objections to the Motor. Hirers being received into holy orders, or, in other words, 'becoming members of the M.T.A. One or two traders spoke theiropinions fluently and strongly, but on the vote being taken, the Hirers were confirmed and hall-marked assort of poor relations who, if received as members of the family, would be reminded that they must keep underr the salt and not attempt any liberties with their' more prosperous relations.
Ma Parker Thomas, chairman of the Hirers' Section, dryly reminded the M.T.A. that it was better to extend their fold than find another big association founded ; but he will not have to use that revolver after all. I went to sleep while Atkey told the history of the " Harmens' Stop List" litigation. I like Atkey • better as an after-dinner orator. George Heath commenced laying odds that.Atkey's speech would last-30 minutes. I gathered that Harmens are back in the fold again, shriven and whiter than the snow ; but woe • betide any member who is " stop listed" and who dares to go to litigation with the M.T.A. It was horrible to hear Atkey play the part of Pepper's Ghost. He is not built for the part. It was his "Tr-r-emble !" that woke.me up. I hope traders inclined to fall from grace will take due note. I do not wish to see them in trouble.
I was much interested in the member of "The Motor" staff who talked on coal-gas with the flueacy of a seltzogene. The way he enthused on the subject made the very electric lights turn blue with envy. He said it was up to the trade to use coal-gas if they wished to einuIate Toddy in • "Helen's Babies" in " wantin' to see the w'eels gq woun'," and I should ifet be at all surprised if many. traders did not Plunge in at the deep end on their return to business. Coalgas was the subject of conversation for the rest of the evening between the Courses of an excellent dinner provided by Mr. R. M. Wright, chairman, and the members of the East Midland Division, -Where the handsome sum of one hundred guineas was subscribed by the 'visitors and formally presented to the Mayor
for the Ball Memorial Fund. R.D.F.P.