Steam Wagon Owners' Taxation Protest.
Page 57
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AT the invitation of Sentinel Waggon Works, Ltd., Shrewsbury, some 120 users of steam wagons met in confereeece there -ast Wednesday, being welcomed by Mr. F. G. Goddard, a director of the company.
Mr. Goddard, in opening the proceedings, said that there should be more freedom of action for the owners of steam wagons. Present-day restrictions tend to contract business instead of expanding it. It appeared to his company that some action was 'necessary to bring before the authorities the importance of steam-vehicle traffic as a national asset. The average citizen of this country does not realize that the steam wagon is of peculiar value to the nation, for it derives its power from fuel indigenous to the country and is produced entirely by British labour. He concluded by introducing the chairman, Major Allen, MC., M.Inst.T.
This gentleman, after thanking the company for the initial effort in organizing the meeting, pointed out that the steam-vehicle owaer is practically at a dead-end. He has all sorts of trouble with legislation and impossible taxation, and nobody to speak for him nationally and exclusively. The steam wagon had many enemies and few friends. It was looked upon as. r, Juggernaut and its real value not dppreciated. Recently they had been subjected to 100 per cent. increase in taxation, which was a very serious matter, and he personally felt that the attack was inspired by sources outside the Government, and that these might endeavour to make matters atilt worse in the future. The increase in transport taxation was some £3,000,000.
It was claimed by the railways that by paying local rates they subsidized the roads, but the facts were that out of 14,600 parishes in the country they were paying rates 'in only 5,000, and that if they paid no rates at all the reduction in ton-mileage cost would only amount to id. The actual cost of main-road maintenance is 0.12d. per gross ton-mile. Road transport was being taxed at 0.18d., consequently, .06d. per ton-mile more than the actual damage was now being paid, this iepresenting a positive tax en transport.
Mr. P. Eiger supported the chairman and claimed that the use of the Road Fund for other than road-maintenance purposes increased unemployment and the cost of living. The 20,000 steam wagons in the country used between a million and a million and a half tons of coal per year, and this meant extra work for the miners.
Mr. Bruce Scott claimed that the railways alone were the instigators of increased taxation. He said : " Are we to lie down and do nothing? The time had come for every one, whether owning steam or petrol vehicles, to meet further terrible threats." He suggested that those suppliers, such as tyre and steel makers, who meet the needs of the makers and users of steam wagons should combine with users to bring pressure on Parliament.
Not all the users present were in agreement as to the unfairness of the present rate of .taxation, providing this was not still further increased. Finally, two resolutions were proposed and passed. It was agreed that the resolution dealing with taxation should be sent to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and that the other, dealing with axle weights and speeds, should be forwarded to the Minister of Transport. These resolutions were as follows:— (1) "This meeting of steam-v( hide users of Britishbuilt vehicles burning British iuel views with concern and strongly protests against the increased taxation of steam vehicles and diversion of the Road Fund for other than road maintenance purposes at a time when the industry of the country is.calling for a reduction in transport charges. The effect of this increased taxation can only increase unemployment in transport, mining and other industries and, coupled with the increased railway rates, will of necessity increase the cost of living.
"This meeting would suggest that when framing the forthcoming Budget you should give preferential treatment to coal-consuming vehicles."
(2) "At a meeting of steam-vehicle users held at Shrewsbury, March 16th, it was unanimously decided to request you to give most careful consideration to the legislation controlling axle weights and speeds as they affect the steam road transport industry.
"Using entirely home-produced fuel, this industry is rendering vital service to the nation. The present permissible axle loads and road speeds have not yet been brought into line with the present-day requirements, and must be increased if the nation is to have the full benefit of modern road transport, and if the use of British coal in place of imported foreign fuel is to be encouraged.
"The steam transport users of Great Britain therefore request that you will receive a representative deputation in order that they may have an opportunity of placing the full facts before you."