Complimentary Dinner to Sir John Maxwell, C.M.G.
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'HE retirement of Sir John Maxwell, I. C.M.G., R.T.C. of the Northern Region, was marked, on December 20, by a complimentary dinner to him attended by over 170 people.
The toast of " The Guest of Honour" was proposed by Major A. D. Currie, the chairman. He pointed out that Sir John. 'following his 25 years in important posts abroad, had become a Traffic Commissioner. In this connection many of those present could testify to his patient hearing of applications. His manner was kindly but firm, and the few appeals indicated the justice of his decisions. Major Currie said that some of those in the industry had been carriers before the railways "had been thought of, and road transport could look with pride upon its war job.
At the conclusion of his remarks, he presented Sir John with an illuminated was disallowed: During the war the address and a voucher for a canteen of cutlery.
Sir John, replying, said he was very sensible of the high honour paid to him. To receive it after working amongst those present for 14 years made him very proud of his record. He had been reluctant to take over the position in 1932, after being responsible for the administration of the Road Traffic Act of 1930. However, he had already established sympathetic relationships wit!. the passenger side of the industry and had no fear that in extending these to hauliers the same friendly associations would notbe formed. In a typical year, 1937, he heard nearly 2,000 contested applications at public inquiries. They were for either new licences or variations. Concerning these, only six appeals were lodged and of these half scheme of grouping and petrol rationing was undoubtedly a great success, and he took this opportunity of thanking all operators, particularly group organizers and sub-district managers, for the great work they had put in. He also paid public tribute to his staff. At the beginning of the war it must have been heart-breaking to owners of vehicles to see their best machines being taken. They made considerable sacriflees in this way, as new or used vehicles to replace them were exceedingly difficult to obtain. However, the sacrifice was made, and the country was indeed grateful. The future was uncertain, but he could foresee a tremendous development in road transport.
In proposing "The Guests," Mr. Norman Porter warmly welcomed Mr. S. W. Nelson, who is succeeding Sir John Maxwell as R,T.C-.
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