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Traders Demand Freedom for Ancillary Users A S a reply to

7th February 1936
Page 89
Page 89, 7th February 1936 — Traders Demand Freedom for Ancillary Users A S a reply to
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the questionnaire recently issued by the Association of British Chambers of Commercia the Railways and Transport Ccmmittee and the Road-Traffic Section of the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce have issued a joint report. This contains a lecommendation that a strong representation be addressed to the above Association urging the desirability of taking every measure to ensure that the existing rights of ancillary users of motor vehicles are continued unimpaired and undiminished.

Case for Ancillary Users.

In the report the following considerations are submitted:—(1) That the vehicles of ancillary users are an integral part of the machine.y of productioa and distribution, and it would not be possible to transfer these services to independent .control without incurring incessant dislocations in business operations, and continuous economic loss. In transporting his own goods, the trader has complete control over his arrangements and deliveries, and can select his own time for despatch with assurance that deliveries can be effected as and when required. (2) That, except to a relatively small extent, the ancillary vehicle is not competitive with the carrier for hire or reward whether by rail or road, and that much of the work could not adequately be performed by public carriers, e.g., (-) local deliveries of customers' purchases in accordance with their wishes; (b) daily deliveries of foodstuffs and necessities; (c) inter works traffic and that between departments where close liaison is of paramount importance; (d) in respect of commodities requiring special vehicles and equipment; (e) in those requiring specialized and regular distribution to depots and shops; (f) in those susceptible to damage, inasmuch as alternative forms of transport, especially rail, demand the provision of elaborate packings which gravely increase the cost; (g) no less important is the fact that the use of private vehicles ensures goods arriving with the minimum risk of damage, thus avoiding the need for replacements and disputes with customers.

On the question of co-ordination generally, in so fqr as it applies to the various forms of transport operating for hire or reward, it is, at thl moment, undesirable to express any opinion as to either the desirability or practicability of such a policy. Before any such step can be contemplated, there must he a full inquiry into the character, organization, methods and potentialities of the various forms of transport, which must necessarily take a long time. . .

The report deals with other matters • of importance to the vehicle user, and it asks that the representations of the Chamber to the Mirister, pressing for the concession of a 100 per cent, grant for the reconstruction of weak bridges on Class I and Class 2 roads, as well as for selected bridges on unclassified roads, should be renewed.

The Road Traffic Section further recommends that representation be addressed to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, through the Association, urging some remission of motor taxation in the next Budget. It is emphasized that during the past year motor taxation, including vehicle licences and the fuel tax, was approximately £72,000,000, of which £27,000,00' was spent on the roads,. and £45,000,000 diverted to general revenue purposes.

Lower Taxation Justified.

One justificition for a claim for reduction is found in the fact that, whilst some relief has been afforded from the emergency •taxation imposed by the Budgets of 1931, no corresponding concession has been made in respect of the 4d. per gallon on imported petrol imposed at that time. In the 1935 Budget, the tax on oil fuel for employment in mechanically propelled vehicles was increased from Id. to 8d. per gallon, and the receipt therefrom will be correspondingly increased.

The chairman of the Railways and Transport Committee of the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce is Mr. A. W. Pearce, and of -LE: Road Traffic Section, Mr. L. W. Gupwell.


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