WHO SHALL CONTROL THE ROADS?
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AT A MEETING of industrial motor cyclists held at Derby on -Saturday by the National Motor Cyclists Fuel Union' Mr. A. W. Torkingion in the chair, the subject of the proposed Ministry of Ways and Communications was discussed, Mr. E. S. Shrapnell-Smith, C.B.E., giving an address on the relation of the proposed Ministry to motor transport and motoring, including motor cycling. He said that the intention to put the new Ministry under men of strong prorailway leanings must give rise to uneasiness amongst those who ,are rightly opposed to monopolies and favouritism of anykind. All forms of transport must be at the disposal of industry and agriculture, so that the choice may be made of the best for any purpose. He,pointed out that Sir Eric GeddesTis strong prorailway and pro-light railway, and herein lie real dangers for road transport development in the absence of strong and effective representation by all road users which shall ensure fair play for roads and road traffic in the 'Government pro. grainnie.
The war hisl-orv. of transnort must not be lost on us now that peace is at hand. The breakdown of theinGernian Army was, in a -measure, due to inefficiency of transport, whilst the salvation of the British Army was due essentially to roads and road motors, and not to fight railways. it is a bad augury for road and road transport in this country for the reconstruction period if the alternatives to railways in the shape of roads are to be controlled by railway men, earith Sir Eric Geddes at, their head. It would be impossible for railway men satisfactorily to settle difficult points where the in--tenets of railways conflicted with-those of read transport. ' The light railway has its objectionable features which do not arise in the case of rail-free motor transport. The cost cf construction is high, no gradient' above 1 in 40 may be employed, cartage is not got rid of, whilst with an inflexible route the permanent way is wasted .three quarters of the-year.
The many roads of this country should be employed to feed the existing broad. gauge railways, where motors cannot economically run the whole-of a point-topoint journey, or where train loads can be concentrated. The lecturer ,claimed that road transport cannot, and must not, be sacrificed to railway influences, anc he called on the members of the union te lend a hand and to help prevent this risk
of The to monopoiy.
The following resolutions, proposed by Mr. J. H. Murray (Birmingham District Secretary), and seconded by Mr. T. Loughborough (Secretary Auto-Cycle Union), were adopted unanimously:—
I. This meeting_ ox the executives and delegates of the National Motor Cyclists Fuel Union' realizing. the superiority of rail-free motors over any partial or extensive system of light railways,, places on record its strong opposition to any legislation which will place railway interests in controls of roads and road transport.
12. All present pledge themselves to take the necessary action to warn their labour organizations that such railway control will be unfair and will hinder independent national development of road traffic for passengers and goods, and, therefore, must prevent reductions in the cost of food and other essential commodities.