Operators Meet North-Western M.P.s
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TUESDAY'S deputation of transport operators from the North-Western Area to Members of Parliament for Lancashire, Cheshire and Westmorland was the culmination of a series of 25 meetings commencing in November last and held by the C.M.U.A. throughout the Area. As an immediate result of the meetings, ao Members were interviewed and the road-transport position put before them.
Tuesday's deputation was in the nature of a follow-up, when the knowledge gained from the entire series of meetings was available. Mr, P. W. Harper, C.IVI.U.A. North-Western Division chairman, led the deputation, which consisted of a dozen prominent members from the north-west. They were introduced by Mr. F. G. Bristow, C.M.U.A. general secretary, and the points were outlined by Mr. W, Farnorth (South-East Lancashire Area organizer) and Mr, W. A. Pilkington (Manchester Area hon. treasurer).
At each of the earlier meetings resolutions were passed asking for the amendment of the 1933 Act to provide for five-year licence currency, right of expansion, reduction in powers of objection, simplifieation and speeding-up of licence grants, right of disposal of businesses without objection, and right to. compensation should licences be revoked on grounds other than a breach of conditions: A large proportion of the country's population (possibly 12* per cent.) would he affected by any repressive legislation on road transport, the deputation stated. It was urged that Clause 2 of the Road Traffic Bill, 1937, now being considered by Parliament, should be amended to read " or such longer period as may be prescribed. with a minimum of five years."
HAULIERS TO BE MADE COMMON CARRIERS?
Hauliers were warned of the probable intention of the railways to saddle them with the common carrier's obligation at an open meeting held last week by A.R.O. Plymouth Sub-area. Mr. R. W. Sewill, national director, who made this forecast, deelared that it was untrue that hauliers skimmed the cram of the traffic. It was not possible, he said, to carry minerals by road owing to the . severe restrictions on vehicle weights . and to the presence of railway-owned . weak bridges.
, Mr, Sewill also announced that A.R.O. was to receive a balance of , about £2,000 from the late Road Haul age Association.'
On the subject of special courts for • motoring offences; he referred to the action of a county authority in setting up an advisory panel of magistrates with not less than seven years' driving experience.
During the week, Mr. SewilI spoke also at Exeter and Penzance.
Transport Helping Hard!hit Areas.
Disastrous effects that would 'follow increased, transport rates in the East Lancashire area, where, as yet, conditions are far from normal and costs have been kept at the lowest possible level so as to assist other industries, are emphasized in representations that are being made by members of A.R.O. East Lanes Area to Members of Parliament for the various constituencies concerned. In view of this situation, the Members are being urged to oppose any suggestion for increases in taxation on the industry.