BRIGHT SPEECHES AT THE M.H.C.S.A. DINNER
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MHE third dinner and dance of the 1 Motor Hirers and Coach Services Association, Ltd., held, last week, in London, was attended by some 360 persons and was a complete success.
After the loyal toast had been proposed by Mr. H. T. Rickards, president of the M.H.C.S.A., who was in the chair, the toast of the Association was proposed by Mr. J. D. Cassells, K.C., M.P. It was, perhaps, rather unfortunate that Mr. Cassells was chosen to speak first, because he set a standard that few people could maintain. He spoke with wit, irony and sarcasm of the Road Traffic Act and the London Passenger Transport Bill, but there was always a strong point behind his humour.
Mr. Cassells attributed the good cheer of those present to their pleasure at the working of the Road Traffic Act and suggested that, prior to the measure being passed, they did not know where the Ministry of Transport was! Re maintained that the independent operator was entitled to continue without undue interference and failed to see the need for the London Passenger Transport Bill. The time has not arrived, he said, for the nationalization of transport. Speaking of the panel of presidents, of the Law Society, Bankers' Clearing House, etc., proposed to be established under the Loudon measure, Mr. Cassells suggested the addition of the president of the Geographical Society, who would, ac least, know something of the country, and the, president of the Zoological Society, who would be versed in the science of natural selection.
Responding, Major S. 13. Elliott, chairman of the management council of the Association, said that the industry might be described as being on the edge of a real crisis.
Mr. F. A. nit., vice-chairman of the management council, was in his best form and, in proposing the toast of the Visitors, kept everyone amused with his steady stream of witty remarks regarding each notable guest. Naturally, Mr. Gleeson Robinson, the Metropolitan Traffic Commissioner, suffered somewhat at Mr. Flin's hands.
Responses were made by Col. Sir Kenyon Vaughan-Morgan, 0.13.E., M.P., and Mr. Gleeson E. Robinson, MC., LL.D. Sir Kenyon pressed operators to lay their requirements in a reasonable, comprehensive and authoritative manner before Parliament;