What the Assoc ions are Doing
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confidence in the Merger
IT was singularly fortunate that the
annual dinner of the C.M.U.A. North-Eastern Division, at Leeds, on February 27; took place on the day following the decision of the C.M.U.A. and A.R.O. to amalgamate.
Amongst some 150 members and guests present were:— Mr. J. Wallis (chairman of the Division), Major It. A. B, Smith, WC. (president, C.M.U.A.), Col. A. Jerrett (president-elect), Messrs, W. E. Mauve (vice-chairman, National Council), F. G. Bristow, C.B.E. (general secretary), J. France, D. I. Sandelson, O.B.E. (solicitor, NorthEastern Division), J. L. Kinder (national organizer), Councillor F, Leach (Deputy Lord mayor of Leeds), and Major J. B. Elliott (chairman, ARC.).
Mr. Macve, in a refreshing speech, • full of humour, referred to the possibility of certain departments of the corporation becoming members of the C.M.U.A., F. Leach said that he was very pleased to learn of the amalgamation, for there was no doubt that legislation would tend to , become more repressive.
Mr. Wallis mentioned that the C.M.U.A. was receiving useful help from Captain Strickland and his roadMnsport group of M.P.s. He referred ' to the difficulties experienced with weak bridges (of which there were many in Yorkshire), also to those caused by the restrictions on drivers' hours and the excessive number of pedestrian arossings.
He trusted that, in the near future, there would be a 30 m.p.h. limit for all commercial vehicles, and called for a reduction of taxation on unladen weight and fuel. He commented upon the disproportionate fines on drivers.
Members had benefited greatly by the lectures given by S.T.R., The Commercial Motor costs expert, whose leading theme was that, if you cannot obtain economic rates, you will not want anything, for you will aoon be out of business.
Major Smith expressed the belief that other operators would join the Association as the result of the merger. Much of the opposition would cease when the industry showed its strength.
As regards taxation, it was wrong that out of £72,000,000, £45,000,000 was not used in the interests of road transport. The more road transport was taxed, the higher must be the cost
of living. He believed that the industry would obtain a 25-per-cent. reduction in taxation. An increase in axle weight to 9 tons was also being asked for. Lorries could then load to capacity, instead of being restricted to 75-80 per cent.
Repressive legislation had come about loosely, and more by Regulations than by Acts, These were almost too elastic and enabled an individual to make himself a dictator. If the Acts were tighter, the industry would know where it stood for a number of years.
Major Elliott paid tribute to the great work of Major Smith and to the
negotiating sub-committee. It was unanimously decided that the name Commercial Motor UsersAssociation should be retained.
Mr. D. I, Sandelson referred to the advantages of collateral security, as against splendid isolation. The country should be informed generally as to the repression of road transport. It was wrong to regard the motor user as Public Enemy No. 1. The spirit in which the Acts were administered constituted a genuine grievance.
Col. jerrett, referring 'la the amalgamation, quoted the well-known advertisement, " How grand to be a toucan, just think what two can do." WEST COUNTRY APPLAUDS MERGER.
Applause greeted the announcement of the C.M.U.A.-A.R.O. amalgamation by Mr. Humphrey Cooke, Devon and Cornwall secretary of A.R.O., at the annual general meeting of the West Cornwall Sub-area, at Camborne, last Friday.
Mr. Cooke, after expressing the hope that taxation would soon be reduced, anneunced that the area committee had secured offices at 5; Princess Square, Plymouth, and that Mr. N, J. Bennett would become secretary. Mr. Cooke would continue to act as solicitor to the Association in the area and would, no doubt, remain the Mid-Cornwall
Sub-area secretary. •
.Referring to traffic-court work, he said that the Association had taken 41 cases for applicants, of which 40 had been granted, and 42 for objectors. As a result of the objections, 20 applications were refused, 15 granted with modification's, and 7 granted as applied for. The total membership in Devon and Cornwall numbered 633, comprising 265 Cornish operators and 371 operators in Devon.
The following members of the subarea committee were elected to serve on the .hauliers' sectional board: Li-Comm. A. Fallon (Penzance), menrs. Christophers (Helston), 1'. F. Waters (Mogan), 51. Ingram Iltaylel R. E. Newham (Falmouth).
-W. J. Shapcott, Pollarn (St. Ives), J. K. Ople (Helston), T. Wooleock (R. Just), S. Rogers (Truro), and G. Russell (Ashton), whilst Messrs. G. II. Canyon (Mount Hawke), J. Brewer (perranporth), R. 0. Clernence (Hayle) and S. Richards were also elected to serve on the committee.
Lt.-Comm. Fallon and Messrs. Newham and Waters were elected representatives Onarea hauliers'• sectional board for the ensung year. LL-Conina. Fallon was also appointed sub-area e,hairman, Mr. Waters vice-chairman, and Messrs. Christopher& and A. L. Bowden, seers. tent and assistant secretary respectively, Important Speakers at Preston.
Mr, W. M. Kirkpatrick, M.P., Major R. A. B. Smith, M.C., and Mr. F, G. Bristow, C.B.E., will be the principal speakers at a public meeting of A-, Band C-licence holders on March 12, at the Bull. and Royal Hotel, Preston, at 7.30 p.m. The Mayor of Preston (Councillor E. Ley, J.P.) will also attend. This meeting will be preceded by the C.M.U.A. Preston area annual general meeting, at 7 p.m.
Too Many Regulations.
It was time that the industry had a rest from regulations, said Major R. A. B. Smith, .MC., president, at the eighth annual drivers' supper, in Birmingham, last Friday, under the auspices of the C.M.U.A.
He Would ask the men to keep all the necessary records properly. The employers were out to give a square deal on wages and they wanted to act so as to protect both parties. So far as vehicles were concerned, be was not sure that there was sufficient vision in some of the heavy machines, but that was the only difficulty that he could see in modern design.
• Mr. S. Macadam (chairman, West Midland Division) presided over a company of nearly 300 drivers and attendants. Amongst those present were Mr. F. G. Bristow, C.B.E., Mr. J. L. Kinder, Mr. 0. C. Power and Mr. W. E. Macve,