Operating Aspects of PASSENGER TRANSPORT
Page 62
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UNITED ACTION BY M.H.C.S.A. MEMBERS OVER AMULREE REPORT
Resolution Gives Full Power to Deputation to Present Case to the Minister THE mass meeting called urgently by the Motor Hirers and Coach Services Association, Ltd., for Sunday, August 21st, was largely attended, proceedings opening with a resolution to send a telegram to H.M. The King.
The chair was taken by Major J. B. Elliott, and, after the passing of the above resolution, Mr. Phineas Quass, barrister-at-law, was asked to explain the recommendations of the Amulree committee. These have already been dealt with in this journal, but points which he emphasized included the fact that the committee had, in his view, paid no attention to the warnings issued by the Minister of Transport against starting services just before the Road Traffic Act became operative.
Mr. H. J. Astell Burt, barrister-atlaw, then proposed a resolution that the meeting strongly disapproved of the existing appeal procedure and inequitable method of its application.
He emphasized the arguments against the principle of appeal to the Minister, suggesting that appeals should be heard by a judge who, personally, would give decisions. Mr. Astell Burt further spoke on the imposition of a is. minimum .fare for coaches in the Metropolitan Area, and on the restriction of picking-up paints.
Mr. B. M. Cloutman, P.C., barristerat-law, spoke forcefully against the practice of certain operators of reporting the minor offences of others to the 1344 Traffic Commissioners. It was unanimously decided that no member of the Association shall lay information or lodge a complaint against any independent operator without first obtaining the approval in writing of the committee of the Association.
Mr. E. Doran, called attention to the need for proper representation in the House of Commons, and the danger of negotiations being confined to permanent officials of Government departments, over which Parliament has certain power. He advocated the formation of a road group in Parliament to act vis-à-vis the strong railway group already in existence. Following his speech, a resolution was unanimously carried inviting the help of all other road interests in the fight which the 11.H.C.S.A. is conducting.
Thereupon, Major IElliott proposed a resolution authorizing steps to obtain a Parliamentary representation for all road interests, and this was enthusiastically carried.
Major Elliott then spoke on the dissatisfaction evinced in regard to the effect of Sections 72b and 74 of the Road Traffic Act. The former makes a breach of a road-service licence condition an offence for which the operator can be summoned, whilst the latter takes the matter out of the hands of the courts and places it with the Commissioners, who are thus able, without hearing a word of evidence, to act upon a private complaint by one operator and to suspend or revoke the licence of another.
Major Elliott asked for a resolution permitting the formation of a deputation with full powers to deal directly with the Minister of Transport, members agreeing unanimously not to act Mr. Raymond W. Birch, of Birch Brothers, Ltd., then spoke in a most capable way on the dangers of bureaucracy and nationalization, his arguments being loudly applauded.
The Association has received from the Home Office a letter in reply to its telegram addressed to HAL The King-. This state.that the telegram has been laid before His Majesty, who has commanded that it be passed to the Minister of Transport to be dealt with.
A reply has been received from the Ministry in regard to the request that the Minister should receive a deputation to discuss the Amulree report. The reply states that the Minister is not disposed to receive such a deputation, and the M.H.C.S.A. is writing again.
Another council meeting has been arranged for to-day, to which delegates from the affiliated associations have been invited.