A HAPPY GATHERING IN CARDIFF.
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Optimistic Speeches at the Annual Social Meeting of the Western Welsh Company.
ATAT the annual social gathering of the Welsh Omnibus Co., Ltd., at Cardiff, on Monday, December 16th, City Councillor A. E. Shippobotham presided. This was the first gathering of the staffs since the amalgamation of the South Wales Commercial Motors, Ltd., with the Great Western Railway Co., Eastern and Western Valleys services and Messrs. Cridlands. The attendance, about 150, was limited by the capacity of the Welfare Hall.
Mr. Thomas John, legal adviser, proposing "The Company," referred to the great changes which had taken place, hut said that they were all glad to see that Mr. Gray remained at the head of affairs, giving them all the satisfaction of sound stability and a feeling of confidence in the loyal discharge of their duties. The presence of Mr. Trevor Roberts, the divisional superintendent of the Great Western Railway at Newport, was evidence of the spiritsof the amalgamation. He congratulated the company on its,sexcellent reputation and spoke of the consideration of the drivers for other road users.
On rising to respond, Mr. A. Gray, the general manager, was received with
musical honours. He said very few people realized the importance of the bus industry. Old industries had waned or faded away, and they wanted all the encouragement they could get to increase employment. Under the "Westera Welsh" they could feel that employments was safe. He thanked all for the splendid way in which he had been supported during the past year. They now operated services in six counties and they were doing all they could to
make the company the national transport organization of Wales. They were glad to think that their financial worries were over,:and they could look forward to operating better buses, making their work more pleasant. They hoped to put on the road the most up-todate rolling stock that any company could wish to have.
In conclusion, he welcomed their visitors, the Mayor of Cowbridge, the exLord Mayor of Carci,iff, Alderman W. R. Williams, who was alsochairman of the bus committee, and Mr. A. J. Williams, the N.U.R. organizer for
Wins. Several councils were represented, but they asked for no favours from licensing authorities. They wanted no favours.
Mr. Trevor Roberts also responded, saying the G.W.R. regarded themselves as part of the company. They were all partners on the road. They considered that the co-ordination of their forces was the best thing for the country, and the G.W.R. felt that the'least they could do was to help the company aleng. He felt sure Mr. Gray was working on the right lines., They should;emember the G.W.R. was their joint employer and was behind them..
Councillor A. J. Williams, the Mayor of Cosyvtridge (Alderman T. J. Yorwerth) and the ex-Lord Mayor of Cardiff also spoke, referring to the splendid public service rendered by the company;*,'