A Query for Bondsigners
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Has "Consideration" Failed ?
The cancellation of the commercial motor show, which was to have been held at Olympia in March next, has already led to no small amount of controversy. We had " cur say " two weeks ago; Mr. Sturmey passed his comments in our columns last week; even such " shouting " as there was to be clone by later reviewists is practically ended. One very important point remains, none the less, and it is upon that aspect of [lie situation that we have decided to set down a few lines now.
Several bond-signing manufacturers are considering the fordicomingManchester show as a likely outlet. Some of these, we learn, are hampered by the operation of the bond which, on pain of a cash penalty, in effect forbids them to make a display elsewhere than at Olympia—unless with the Society's formal permission. Of what effect is it that there will he no S.M.M.T. show this season? Does not this conceivably give every bondsigner who has refrained from acting upon his own business promptings to support certain other shows a legal right to compensation? We have been asked this question, and we are not at all sure that there is no right of action. On the other hand, any manufacturer standsto lose much more than he is likely to gain by litigation further, it is a presumption to conclude that the Society will not, even at this eleventh hour, grant a dispensation to any maker who wishes to take a stand, say, at Manchester. There are, no doubt, reasons for sore feelings on the part of those who have abstained from particular trade displays in conformity with the terms of the bond, but the situation of to-day is due to no breach of faith : hence, if it can be held that there has been a technical breach of contract, a policy of mutual concession is to be commended, rather than an internal fight. We are sometimes inclined to agree with the view that the S.M.M.T. is of a miserly disposition, and that some part of its bearded funds might appropriately and usefully be disbursed just now : others, who are in power, appear to like to count up tha annual interest on the investments, which characteristic
is at least a point in their favour compared with the behaviour of an ordinary miser. No matter that this circumstance—the accumulation of money for indeterminate and future application—may he one upon which two opinions can rightfully be held, and in spite of the fact that the cash is certainly there, the Trade must stand together, and there must be no attempts at spoliation, in which category we should not hesitate to class a claim for damages at this juncture of events in the industry.