HAULIERS PEAR COMPULSORY MERGERS.
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Apprehension that compulsory amalgamation of ,road-transport interests was coming, voiced at a C.M.U.A. meeting at Burnley, cm Monday, struck a new note in the discussions of costs and 'earnings that follow addresses by S.T.R., The Commercial Motor costs expert.
Mr. T. Bentham, from the chair, said that, interesting as was the previous address by S.T.R., this was dearer and more informative.
Much of the discussion turned on haulage of cotton goods and textiles generally, also on municipal haulage. The latter is a subject with which BurnIeY Sub-area of the C.M.U.A. has dealt at some length, arriving at a schedule of fair rates. A test of S.T.R. 's figures, applying them to the agreed municipal rates, showed agreement to a fraction of a penny.
Then arose the question of the attitude to adopt towards certain proposals for amalgamation which have been made in the district. S.T.R. took the opportunity to point out that, whenever any question of amalgamation arose, the value of the business concerned would be called into question. Ail important factor which would have to be taken into account when assessing that value was the goodwill and that, again, was measured by the net profit.
That, be pointed out, was yet another argument for revising rates.
If Rates Agreement Fails. . . .
A record number of 60 hauliers attended an open meeting held by the 131ackpool and District Road Haulage Association, on Monday, to consider the T.A.C. and Baillie Reports. Mr. T. A. Titchener presided.
Reviewing the Transport Advisory Council's recommendations to fix rates, Mr. H. Hardman, secretary, said he hoped that the industry would be big enough to shoulder the responsibility and agree to formulate rates for itself. If it did not do so, the Minister would, with the result that less favourable terms might be given.
Mr. Hardman described as of the utmost importance the fact that the Council recognized the right of the public to have freedom of action in transport matters.
Amend 1933 Act First.
Certain aspects of new legislation which is being introduced by the Government were strongly attacked by Major the Hon. Eric Long, T.D., J.P., at a meeting at Newark, under the auspices of A.R.O.
Speaking of the Daillie Report, Major Long said that A.R.O. had colleted evidence from all over the country, and it was obvious that the same conditions did not exist in every area. The wages Bill was now in being; before December it would have received its first reading, by the end of the session His Majesty's assent, and by January, 1939, would become law. The industry had 15 months in which to make its case.
I say that no Government should allow that Bill to become law until the 1933 Act has been amended, and until your justifiable grievances have been put right," said the speaker.
C.M.U.A. Calls for Motorways.
Attended by delegatesfrom all parts of the country, •a meeting of the National Council of the C.M.U.A. has considered the question of the development of existing highways and the construction of special motor roads. The following, resolution was unanimously adopted:—
" The National Council • . . unanimously supports a bold and vigorous policy of development of existing highways, coupled with the construction of special motor roads, and urges that one or, perhaps, two special motor roads should be planned at once, with a view to early construction. . ."
A.R.O. Insurance Scheme.
The executive committee of A.R.O., at its meeting on Wednesday last, further considered a national scheme of insurance which the Association proposes to make available to all its members. Not only will it benefit members directly, but, we understand, should go some way towards improving conditions in the industry generally.
A.R.O. for Pall Mall.
New offices for A.R.O. are to be opened at 120, Pall Mall, London, S.W.1, to which a move will be made early in December.
Plan for Special Inquiry Service.
We understand that .A.R.O. will shortly ,offer a new service to its members through its area offices, in the shape of facilities for making status inquiries, on advantageous terms, from a well-known concern.
A.R.O. Combines with Chamber.
A.R.O. Western Area is holding a meeting at Cinderford. Forest of Dean, on Monday, November 29, in conjunction with the local Chamber of Commerce. The president of the latter body will occupy the chair, and" the speaker will be Major Eric Long.
Rebate on Tunnel Tolls?
Large users of the Mersey Tunnel held a meeting at the offices of the C.M.U.A., in Liverpool, last week, and unanimously decided to ask the Mersey Tunnel Joint Committee to receive a deputation in support of an application for the re-establishment of the monthly rebate system which applied to the ferries.
M.P. to Address A.R.O. Meeting.
Mr. Herbert G. Williams, M.P,, and Major H. E. Crawfurd, president of A.R.O., will address a meeting of the Association at the Greyhound. Hotel, Croydon, next Monday, at .8 p.m. They will be supported tiy Mr. J. F, E. Pye, chairman of the Metropolitan Area : Mr. R. W. Sewill, national director ; and Major the Hon, Eric Long, political adviser. Mr. Rusholin Brown, chairman of the Smith London area, will occupy the chair.
BETTER ROAD-RAIL UNDER. STANDING?
Better 'understanding between road and rail was referred to by Mr. J. H. Turner, M.Inst.T., chairman, in paying a tribute to the railways, at the London Cartage and Haulage Contractors Provident Institution annual dinner, in London, on Tuesday. In wishing the Minister of Transport " security of tenure " and " automatic renewal " of office, Mr. Turner said that he seemed to appreciate the industry's difficulties. Referring' to the many Ministers of Transport who had held office, Mr. Turner declared that their periods of service varied from 5 to 34 months.
In a perfect after-dinner speech, Mr. E. L. Burgin, P.C., LL.D., M.P., Minister of Transport, paid tribute to the camaraderie existing on the road, as represented by the Provident Institution. Referring to the value cf co-operation with the associations, he said that the Ministry of Transport had relied on the London Association in negotiating wage agreements • in the Metropolitan Area.
Other speakers were Mr. B. G. Turner, M.Inst.T., Col. J. Sandeman Allen, M.C. T.D., M.P., and Sir Richard Redmayne, K.C.B.
500 People at C.M.U.A. Supper.
Support for . the C.M.U.A. Manchester Area hot-pot supper shows no signs of slackening and, on Tuesday, nearly 500 people attended it. So popular is the function that for days previously applications for tickets: were being refused. Among the many prominent figures in the industry was Mr. F. G. Bristow, general secretary of the C.M.U.A.,. apart from representatives of trades unions and Toadtransport organizations. • Mr. E. F.
Topham presided. • Mr. Bristow paid tributes to the work of Mr: W. Farnorth and Mr. Topham. An appeal for support from the allied trades, as well as from the industry itself, was made by Mr. H. J. Russell.
• Large and small operators were a necessary part of the transport system, said•Delr. W. Edwards. There iniist, of necessity, be a measure of antagon5m between them, but, in the Manchester district, their rivalry was friendly.
A.R.O. from Public Viewpoint.
The importance of A.R.O., from the standpoint of the general public, was the tenor of a brief speech made by S.T.R., The Commercial Motor costs expert, at the annual dinner of the Brighton Sub-area of A.R.O. A live road-transport industry, he said, was essential to keep in being competition against the railway companies, which were aiming at renewing the monopoly they once held.
Other speeches, equally, brief, were made by the chairman of the SouthEastern Area, Mr. D. Richardson, who touched upon recent internal affairs of A.R.O., and by Mr. W. Hands. The event was most enjoyable.. Councillor A. V. Nicholls, M.I.B.E., took the chair.