STRONG VIEWS EXPRESSED AT NATIONAL CONFERENCE
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.THE much-publicized National Con
ference, organized by the Commercial Motor Users Association, took place at Harrogate on Wednesday and Thursday of this week. Mr. James France, president of the C.M,U.A., in opening the Conference, said that the road-transport industry was in such a state that no time should be lost in forming a united front to elucidate its problems and fight restrictive regulations.
The discussion on operators' licensing difficulties was opened by Captain Amor, who stated that £100,000,000 trading capital was represented at the Conference. Manufacturers and traders had now lost the right to choose the hauliers whose services they required.
Mr. D. I. Sandelson remarked that the railways were the only interests profiting by Acts of Parliament. The Appeal Tribunal had, he continued, made' the astounding interpretation of the Road and Rail Traffic Act that the applicant must prove that no one else in his district was able to do the work which he proposed to carry out. The Licensing Authorities might consider other facilities, but the onus of proof should not be on the applicant.
Mr. Sandelson declared that, by agreed charges, the railways could extend freely and filch much business from the roads. On the passenger side, they demanded fixed fares, and then undercut them. As a solicitor, Mr. Sandelson was well qualified to speak on the responsibilities and failings of operators in presenting their cases to Licensing Authorities and conducting their businesses.
Mr. F. Bentley said that a railway company sent five amended estimates in connection with a furniture-removal contract. Mr. A Butterwick considered that a small increase in vehicle tonnage should be merely office procedure. He also referred to the different reports made by vehicle examiners in three different areas, and put in a plea for standard tests. Extracts from an article published in The Commercial Motor were read' by Mr. A. Watkinson.