SOUTH WALES OPERATORS SUPPORT THEIR ASSOCIATION
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Successful Annual Dinner in Cardiff Last Week. Asin past years, the annual dinner of the Motor Omnibus Proprietors' Association (South Wales), which was held in Cardiff, on November 30, was well attended, not only by operators, but by manufacturers' representatives from London and elsewhere. In addition to the speakers, the notable gnests included Mr. Chatty, of the Associated Equipment Co., Ltd. ; Mr. J. H. Watts and Mr. G. Nowell, of Red and White Services, Ltd., and Mr. A. Gray, of the Western Welsh Omnibus Co., Ltd. The chairman of the Association, Mr. W. IE. Gough, presided.
In proposing the toast of "The Visitors," Mr. Gough spoke of the appatent lack of interest in their duties shown by many Members of Parliament, and referred to the deplorable attendance at the final debate .on the Road and Rail Traffic Bill. A humorous reply was made by Capt. James Griffiths, Deputy Lord Mayor of Cardiff, in the absence of Alderman A. E. Gough, J.P., the Lord Mayor.
An interesting feature of the evening was the presentation by Mr. Frederick R. Simms of the Simms bowl to Mr.
S. C. Clabborn, the champion of the Motor Omnibus Proprietors and Allied Trades Golf Association, and cups to Mr. T. White and Mr. T. White, Jnr. Mr. Simms, who also made a presentation to each person attending the dinner, has been a motorist since 1895, and a founder of the Automobile Association and the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
Major J. B. Elliott, chairman of the Motor Hirers' and Coach Services Association, proposed the toast of "The Association," but Mr. P. A. Flin, the vice-chairman, was unable to attend. Major Elliott referred to the Minister's promise to consider introducing certain legislation, in the near future, to amend the Road Traffic Act, particularly as regards contract carriages.
Councillor C. Thomas, the secretary, in a strong speech, said that operators should not imagine that licensing had
become standardized. He considered that the Road Traffic Act had stopped further expansion of the road passenger transport industry, and stressed the great harm that would be caused to the nation if road transport were seriously hampered. Councillor Thomas also spoke of the important question of weak bridges, and outlined the successful efforts of the Association, in conjunction with the M.H.C.S.A.
The India golf cup was presented by Mr. H. S. Chaplin, of the India Tyre Co., Ltd.
Captain Arthur Evans, M.P., proposed the toast of "The Road Transport Industry," and Col. R. G. Llewellyn, 0.B.E., J.P.. replied. Mr. Howell M. Davies, in proposing the toast of 'The Chairman,' paid a high tribute to the untiring efforts of Mr. W. E. Gough. In seconding, Mr. Daniel Hopkin, M.A., LLB., declared that if the anomalies of the contract-carriage law were eliminated, 50 per cent, of the present litigation would be avoided. He gave it as his view that in two years' time 40 per cent, of road haulage will be wiped out.