A FEDERATION TO FIGHT FOR ROAD TRANSPORT AND TRAVEL
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A New Organization for the Travelling Public, All Operating Interests and Employees. Labour M.P. as Secretary BY far the most important item of news in the passenger-vehicle industry this week is that of the formation of the National Road Transport Federation, Ltd.
At the time of going to press this federation was passing through the stages of registration. There are 12 important founder members, and the aim is to secure wide public interest in the use of roads for travel—and goods transport, for. that matter—and to see that this interest is used with effect in parliamentary channels. This news is not unexpected ; indeed, it has been awaited by all engaged in the industry who have exercised any foresight.
Niue of the 12 founder members are as follow:—
Central tendon (Road Transport) Station, Ltd.
Coach Travels, Ltd. (The London Terminal Coach Station)• National Coachways, Ltd.
Tourist Motor Coaches (Southamptank Ltd. Great Western Express Co„. Ltd. Majestic; Express Motors, Ltd. 'Premier Line, Ltd.
Skylark Motor Coach Co., Ltd.
Glenton Friars (Road Coaches), Ltd.
It will be seen that these companies represent important business interests in the spheres of coach stations, longdistance and short-distance coach operation, etc., and between them these nine companies stand for about 1350,000 of invested capital and approximately 200 vehicles. The initial capital subscribed in equal parts by the above nine founder members, amounts to
16,000, all of which has been paid up. Mr. H. H. Lawrie, M.P. for Stalybridge, has been appointed as secretary, and Mr. J. R. Cort Bathurst is the federation solicitor.
In addition to the founder members, who have provided the initial capital, it is proposed to admit independent motor coach 'and motorbus operators, coach station companies, booking agents, goods transport operators, drivers and employees and the roadtravelling public as members. Except for members from the travelling public, those joining the federation will be required to take up shares. These will be of three classes, comprising the founders' shares, which have already been taken up, another class of preference shares for operators generally, and a third class of shares for booking agents, transport employees, etc.
In order to offer an immediate inducement to support the movement, it is proposed that advantages shall be made available to members. So far as operators are concerned these will take the form of the co-operative purchase of motor spirit and supplies, co-operative insurance and other valuable aids, whilst for the travelling public there is to be a scheme of personal and lug gage insurance. Similar benefits will be arranged for booking agents, employees, etc. The federation is to have full power to trade for members' benefit.
The reason why this 'federation has been formed is that it has now become apparent that the public is wholeheartedly backing road -transport. The interests concerned in the formation of the federation have been approached by powerful and representative organizations of ratepayers and others pressing for definite steps to protect road travel and the road transport of goods. Realizing that with the public support there was almost limitless scope for organized effort to combat measures repressive to road transport, leaders of the above-mentioned concerns got together only a few days ago at the House of Commons and quickly had framed the fundamental details of the organization. It will be seen that if a member of Parliament can speak in the House of Commons for hundreds of thousands of voters some notice will be taken of him.
At the time of going to press arrangements were in hand for a meeting of road-travel interests, called by the Motor Hirers' and Coach Services Association, to be held at Cannon Street Hotel, London. A full account of the proceedings will, of course, appear in our issue for next week and there is no doubt that this fresh development will have been discussed.