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1\4,1 3 ,s Recognize the "Blunder" S YMPATHY is beginning to be shown

21st February 1936
Page 31
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Page 31, 21st February 1936 — 1\4,1 3 ,s Recognize the "Blunder" S YMPATHY is beginning to be shown
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

in Parliament for carriersand the hardships which they, as applicants, are suffering as the result of the blunder, exposed exclusively by The Commercial Motor, in Section 11(2) of the Road and Rail Traffic Act, 193$. We have brought the error to the personal attention of 165 Members of Parliament, whilst, in addition, the associations are taking up the matter.

A Member of Parliament recently asked the Minister of Transport whether he would investigate the working of the Section, but he replied evasively that the licensing provisions had been in operation for only a little over a year and that they were based upon principles thoroughly considered by Parliament. Another question has been 'prepared and will shortly be raised in the House of Commons.

As a prominent association solicitor recently pointed out to members at a general meeting, our revelation of that "amazing Parliamentary blunder" must not be regarded as a "stunt." It is a powerful endeavour, typical of the progressive policy of this paper. to right a grievous wrong under which carriers are suffering. Every operator should bring the matter to the notice of his local Member of Parliament, with the request that a question should be asked in the House. The Minister cannot continue indefinitely to give meaningless answers; eventually he will be compelled—if only in self-defence—to investigate thc abuse of the law by the railways, and to honour the promise made by his predecessor when the Bill was in Standing Committee. This is a question affecting the future of every haulier, and demands the immediate attention of the British Road Federation. The Minister should. be requested to receive, at the earliest possible moment, a deputation from that body to discuss means for ending the defiance of the spirit of the law which is, at present, an integral part of railway policy, and which has been facilitated by the late Minister and his advisers.

Economic Working Imperilled ? THE inquiry held by the Yorkshire Licensing HE to determine whether the tonnage authorized to a certain operator should be reduced, in view of the fact that some of his machines have no Road Fund licences, may have perturbed carriers who are unwilling to accept cut rates. As The Commercial Motor has already pointed out, the licensing system encourages ratecutting in order to inflate traffic figures and superficially to justify authorized tonnage, or an increase in it, to the disadvantage of the scrupulous haulier. Does this inquiry foreshadow investigations into the circumstances of applicants who, rather than accept uneconomic work, allow their vehicles to lie idle? The conditions of the case in question certainly appear to be unusual, but we hope that a policy of paring off existing tonnage, to satisfy the railways, has not been inaugurated by the Licensing Authorities.

A Railway Trick Unmasked AN attempt by the railways, apparently backed by a colliery organization, to restrict the road transport of coal, has been foiled by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. As reported in The Commercial Motor, the railways have been objecting to applications by coal hauliers in the North-Western Area and have been demanding the production by operators of certificates of authorization from Lancashire Associated Collieries to transport coal. Furthermore, certain applicants have been bludgeoned by the railways into accepting the condition that coal may be removed only from railhead. The railways have no right to ask for any certificate, nor for the restriction of traffic. The Coal Mines Act, 1930, and the Lancashire and Cheshire (Coal Mines) Scheme, 1930, under which Lancashire Associated Collieries were set up, confer no statutory right upon that organization to govern the distribution of coal, consequently the railway objections are ultra vires. This type of objection is typical of the railways' attitude towards road transport, and of the policy of wearing down, by any means, fair or foul, the resistance of the small man with limited resources. It emphasizes the need for restricting the powers of objectors. as The Commercial Motor is constantly urging. We are .gratified to note that the manufacturers, through their central organization, are beginning to show an interest in the tribulations of operators, and that they will, in future, play an even bigger part in righting the abuse of privileges by the railways.


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