Need for Greater Unity Stressed at Conference Banquet
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.C.M.U.A. Conference Banquet,
THE iE
at theGrand Hotel, Birmingham,
last Monday, was attended by many distinguished guests, including the presidents of no fewer than eight kindred organizations. The speakers alternated, in their interest, between the international situation and the need for unity within the road-transport industry.
Mr. L. W. Gupwell, in proposing the toast of the City of Birmingham, referred to the fact that it was within 100 miles of the principal seaports of the country, had t500 trades, and that fluctuations in its population had been in proportion to the facilities for transport.
The Lord Mayor, in his reply, emphasized the need for unity within the industry.
The toast of the C.M.U.A.. and Kindred Organizations was proposed by ilefr. Peter, F. Bennett, who also referred to the need for co-operation between all branches of the toad-transport industry.
Mr. C. le M. Gosselin, replying for the C.M.U.A., made the interesting point that we were, to some extent, indebted to air transport for last week's peaceful settlement of the international quarrel. This gave rise to the speculation as to whether, perhaps, events in 1914 would have taken a different turn had similar transport facilities been available.
He likened membership of an association such as the C.M.U.A. to insurance—one, moreover, in which the premiums to be paid by way of subscriptions were particularly moderate having in mind, the benefits to be obtained.
Mr William Edwards, who replied on behalf of the kindred organizations, also referred to the need for unity, in urging that it was essential for all those engaged in the industry to focus their efforts.
Mr. W. A. Winson proposed the toast of the guests. He said the industry was anxious and willing to build up a rates structure and to abide by it, but, in return, a greater measure of freedom in operation would be expected. 'It was net lair, be said, to expect the industry to work under a rates scheme linked with limitation of tonnage. One or the other could be imposed, but not both. Again, there were, he said, further disabilities, for the industry, which were inseparable from the plating scheme. He thought that if plating were imposed the limitation of 20 m.p.h. on larger vehicles should be abolished and a maximum speed of :10 m_p.h. established for all sizes. He referred again to the need for the merging of the two great associations and ventured the opinion that it would come shortly, being forced upon the leaders by the wish and will of the rank and file.
Mr. Acburch, of the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, stressed the right of' the individual to choose his own form of transport.
A powerful plea for unity in the industry was also put forward by Mr. Oliver Boden, vice-chairman of Morris Motors, Ltd., at a luncheon given before the tour of the MorrisCommercial works.