C Licences or High Rates Responsible ?
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ASKING for an application to be adjourned, at Leeds last week, Mr. T. B. Atkinson told the Yorkshire Deputy Licensing Authority, Mr. J. H. Randolph, that the heavy haulage industry and B.R.S. (Pickfords), Ltd., in particular, were being undermined by the ever-increasing number of low-loaders appearing on C licences, and subsequent applications to transfer them to B licences.
Mr. Atkinson, for Pickfords, who were objecting, added that this was the basis of the application made by J. Ainsworth (Morley), Ltd., Morley, who sought to replace three tippers by a low-loader of II tons on their B licence.
Ainsworth's, said Mr. J. Walker, were public-works and plant-hire contractors who last March took over a B licence, which authorized six tippers. The licence was not being fully worked and they wanted to surrender 'three tippers and transfer the low-loader from C to B licence. They wished to carry road and building plant within 25 miles and roadmaking machinery and equipment to Yorkshire and Lancashire.
There was a shortage of low-loaders in the area, said Mr. Walker, and Pickfords, although satisfactory for long-distance work, were too expensive for local jobs. Four witnesses supported the application and a Mr. Quinn, of Leeds, said that six weeks ago he had obtained quotations for carrying machinery from Grantham to Lancashire. Pickfords had quoted a figure £35 higher than a York haulier's.
Mr. Atkinson suggested that the lower figure was because the York haulier already had a vehicle in the Grantham area. He added that the present application was based on reciprocal business arrangements between the applicants and the witnesses.
It was obvious, he said, that it was cheaper to operate under B licence than an A licence, because if a vehicle were not being operated by the applicants it could be offered, at cut rates, to their customers. The application was setting a dangerous precedent and Pickfords were alarmed by it. Decision was reserved.
FACTORY SHOW TAKEOVER
THE next Factory Equipment Exhibition will be organized by Industrial and Trade Fairs, Ltd., the exhibition company jointly owned by The Financial Times and the George Newnes group of companies, who have acquired full rights of the Exhibition. Next year it will be at Belle Vue, Manchester, and in 1961 it will be at Earls Court, London, thus establishing a pattern of alternate displays in London and the north.
DUTCH BUSMEN'S PAY RAISED
SUBJECT to ratification by the Council of Government Mediators, agreement has been reached between bus operators and trade unions in Holland for an advance of 6 per cent. in wages and a similar increase in bonuses.
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