Dairy Firm Forces Haulier's
Page 52
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PrHE fact that he had been to see the I Minister of Transport regarding the action of a dairy farm in taking their milk-carrying from a haulier, because he refused to accept a lower rate, was disclosed by Mr. Henry Backhouse, Junr., at a case before the NorthWestern Licensing Authority last week.
The operator was Mr. R. Riley, of Whitchurch, who applied for a renewal of his A licence for nine vehicles. Mr. Backhouse said applicant operated 12 vehicles on an A licence and from his commencement, in 1927 until 1997, collected together a " milk round" which occupied the time of nine vehicles. When the Milk Marketing Board's contracts were renewed on October 1, 1936, the particular dairy for which he collected asked him to reduce his rates and he refused. They continued on a day-to-day basis until June, 1937, when they commenced using C-licence vehicles.
This had the effect, said Mr. Backhouse, not only of reducing the working rates below an economic level, but allowing the dairies to save on the carrying charges, which were part of a fixed price, thus enabling them to give a discount to the farmer, and, in that way, get a subsidy off the latter. Applicant's receipts for the year 1936 wcre 0,915; for 1937 up to June 5 they were 44,148; and for the period from June 5 to December 31 they were £976. He asked that one vehicle should be granted on an ordinary A licence and that the remaining eight should be on a hiring allowance.
The chairman remarked that if he granted that, he was not allowed to attach any conditions to. his hiring A licence and he would not be in a position to prevent the applicant carrying goods other than milk. He went on to say that as far is he could see the licences should have been surrendered. If by chance Mr. Rileycame to him later and explained that they were going to be surrendered, he would be prepared to grant him licences—surrender for grant and grant for surrender. As he saw it, it would give him BIS a better hold than granting one vehicle and a hiring allowance for eight vehicles.
Mr. Foulkes Jones, appearing for A. E. Handscombe and Co., which objected, said the company realized Mr. Riley's position and it did feel that a pistol had been put at his head. He thought that it was unfair of a trader to do that and hoped the Authority would do his best to help him out. Mr. Backhouse said he appreciated that.
The chairman granted the one vehicle on an A licence and will consider his decision on the hiring allowance.