25,000 Bus Workers Militant
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FOR the first time in history, workers of all political creeds threatened with State control had had the courage to rebel, said Mr. A. Tegerdine, of the Bus Workers' Anti-Nationalization Society, in a special statement made as this week's issue of "The Commercial Motor" went to press.
"We wish it to be clearly understood by the British Transport Commission that they should leave well alone," he added.
At the first annual meeting of the B.W.A.N.S., due to be held to-day in Wallsend, members will hear how this non-political organization has now enrolled some 25,000 drivers and conductors in all parts of the country, said Mr. Tegerdine.
In the north-east, over 8,000 of the possible total of 15,000 bus workers had joined the Society in its first year of operation. B.W.A.N.S, had therefore, he said, become the officially elected body for representing such workers in the north-cast' in their fight, by all legitimate means, against the nationalization of their employment.
Now that it is apparently supported by a majority of workers in the territory, writes a northeastern correspondent, intensification of the Society's campaign is to be expected. There is no doubt that the opposition to any area scheme will be greatly strengthened by this development.
CREDIT TO P.V.O.A.: AREA SCHEMES STIFLED
CREDIT could be claimed by the is-,Passenger Vehicle Operators' Association for the fact that. area schemes had not been proceeded with, said Mr. F. A. Walker, national secretary of the Association, at the annual dinner of the East Midland Area at Newark.
Mr. J. W. Fletcher, East Midland Licensing Authority, said that some operators were reluctant to apply for increases in fares because they knew that greater competition would result.
The national chairman, Mr. J. M. Birch, stated that an independent operator could provide a service infinitely superior to that offered by a State undertaking wielding arbitrary power. A situation in which all operators were under the control of Licensing Authorities was exactly as it should be.
Mr. M. W. Parkes, secretary, reported a 25 per cent, increase in membership.
T.U.C. URGES TATE MILK DISTRIBUTION
PUBLIC ownership of milk distribuCon has been iarged as an immediate measure by the Trades Union Congress in a memorandum to the Minister of Food. The T.U.C. says that it is essential to prevent wasteful overlapping.
Nationalization should be a longterm policy and an independent Milk Commission should be set up to superv'se the industry. It should take over the earlier key stages of distribution, such as country depots, and encourage voluntary schemes to rationalize retail deliveries.