What the Associations Did in 1935
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Active Opposition to Increased Taxation, a Strong Effort to Make Parliament Road-minded and Other Evidence of Aggressiaje Policy by AR .O. and C.M.U.A. THE. past year has been One of redoubled 'activity on the part of the two 'national Associations— Associated Road Operators.. and the Commercial Motor Users Association. Negotiations for the -complete amalgamation of the C.M.U.A.-, the Motor Hirers and Coach Services AssoCiation and the Road Haulage Association broke down in May ,.last, but the M.H.C.S'.A. and R.H.A.derided to unite and ?sifinherged.• _their separate islentitieS ..fu -the •A:R .0.; an organisation which s was officially registered on
July 12, last. „.. The twOns:tional. bodies' are now , . .
a following separate path's, but each with a determination ne'ver ;before 7 displayed. Activity is'sOch that .We• have been justified in inaugurating an exclusive new weekly feature devoted, to news of the work of the two Associa
tions throughout the country. • Every Effort Worth While.
A disappointing feature of association Wcik -generally is that so much energy has to be expended for so little immediate result. Nevertheless, every effort, whether it appears to be fruitless or not, is definitely worth while, for it sows the seeds of success at a later stage.
A case in point is provided by the Budget of last year and the Finance Bill, 1935, which sought an increase of 7d. on the tax on oil fuel. This imposition was strongly, although unsuccessfully, contested by both _Associations, which were also instrumental in securing the proposal of a resolution in the House of Commons, during the debate on the Finance Act, calling for a 25-per-cent. reductior in commercial-motor taxation generally and the remission of 2d. per gallon on the petrol tax. Although these reptesentations were unsuccessful, sympathy was expressed by Members of Parliament and the theatre for future action was prepared.
Enterprising Publicity.
The A.R.O. also took steps to enlist public support by arranging for men with sandwich boards to patrol the streets of Westminster and by circulating thousands of leaflets informing the public of the true facts concerning the oppressive taxation on road transport. The other outstanding event of the year, so far as the industry is concerned, was the general. election; it provided a searching test of the influence and energy of the Associations and they acquitted themselves adequately. Both organizations addressed questionnaires to all candidates and interviewed personally as many prospective Members of Parliament as possible. Each body received approaching 100 sympathetic replies to its questionnaire, and Mr. R. W. Sewill, national director of A.R.O., states that his organization's" document has been B36 referred to a special sub-committee of the, cabinet The individual activities of the Associations form an interesting record of enterprise and progress. A.R.O. has given special attention to police persecution and has succeeded, we understand, in securing an assurance from the Home . Secretary that the silent trap will no longer be used by the police. A, a result of constant pressure, the Horne. Secretary added recently that hidden traps would be used only in special circumstances, and that the method of detecting speed offenders by following them in cars or motorcycles would generally be adopted.
Important Cases Fought.
Increased benefits to members have been offered in the way of legal representation for a nominal fee at traffic courts, and assistance in defending police-court cases at reduced charges. The Association has fought several important cases, including one raising the question of the admissibility of drivers' records as evidence in court proceedings.
Another charge defended by A.R.O. brought up the liability of employers for the unauthorized wrongful actions of their servants, a matter which the Association is not allowing to rest. Amongst the appeals instigated by A.R.O. were the well-known Loftus and Norman cases. The organization is also taking steps to warn trade associations, Chambers of Commerce and individual traders of the dangers of railway " agreed charges."
Representations liave been made to the Minister of Transport for a reduction in quarterly licence duties—so far without success—and to the Minister of Agriculture in connection with the' Transit of Animals Order, whilst A.R.O. is investigating the extent of the use of trailers for -hire or reward with private cars. Some success has been achieved in respect of the use of "stop and be weighed " signs.
Last month, a deputation waited on the employers' panel of the National Joint Conciliation Board, and a memorandum was submitted recommending various modifications in the composition and function of the Board, and particularly in connection with finance.
Mr. Sewill states that, during the. year, the membership has increased from 7,000 to over 10,000, and that the ancillary users' sections are growing. A.R,O. is supporting the plan for the complete anialgamation of associations in Yorkshire by the formation of a joint committee.
The passenger section has done good work in seeking variations in the regu-. lotions.. concerning objections and drivers' . hours, and pressing for the proper enforcement of Section 26 of' the Road Traffic Act 1934, : The' Association has also opposed certain actions of London Transport; and, of. course, has played, an important part. in the struggle to secure single ,and period-return tickets on seasonal express services from the coast to London.
A New Insurance Scheme.
Plans have been prepared for an insurance scheme, details of which are hoped to be announced shortly.
The' C.M.U.A. has had a most successful year, marked by a big increase in membership, and the opening of some 12 new branches in various parts of the country. Particular activity has been shown•on the passenger side, and the Cornwall and North Devon, South Wales and Bristol Associations of coach and bus operators have linked up with the C.M.U.A.
The Association has been successful in securing the amendment of the drivers' records regulations, has opposed the closing of various roads to commercial vehicles, has taken a , firm stand in respect of weak bridges and has been prominent in pressing for an increase in the speed limits on certain commercial vehicles from 20 m.p.h. to 30 m.p.h. Particularly good work has been done in connection with the weights of commercial vehicles, and the need for increasing the maximum axle weight from 8 tons to 9 tons has been impressed upon the Minister of Transport.
C.M.U.A. Active.
The C.M.U.A. has also allied itself closely with the " safety first " movement, and has joined with the A.R.O. and other bodies in pressing for an amendment of public-service-vehicle drivers' hours. In the middle of last year it introduced an important national scheme of insurance for mem bers. A notable event of the year was the second National Road Transport Conference, at which many vital subjects were ably discussed.
Another achievement has been that of securing consideration for operators with regard to the keeping of records. relating to oil fuel.
A spiritedreply has been made to the memorandum of the Association of British Chambers of Commerce con cerning the restriction and nationalization of transport, and successful representations have been made regarding the hours of drivers employed by C-licence holders, during the Christmas period.
The Parliamentary committee is taking up the matter of the liability of employers for the actions of their employees. Particularly tine work is being done in the North-Western Division, where the Association's solicitor, Mr. II. Backhouse, has won the respect of applicants, objectors, and, we believe, the ,Licensing Authority.
It should be mentioned that, contrary to statements sometimes made, the National Council of the Association is not comprised entirely of ancillary users, C-licence holders and hauliers having practically equal representation. Amongst the benefits of membership
are legal and engineering advice, the services of R.A.C. road guides, insurance facilities, expert advice in connection with the analysis and valuation of lubricating oils and motor spirit, and the provision of route itineraries.
There are, of course, other national organizations which are carrying on praiseworthy work, but they are more limited in their activities, and space precludes a reference to each of them.