Furniture Trade Insists on Motors
Page 37
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CCHANGES in the furniture trade were referred. to by a witness at Liverpool, last week, when Messrs. Perris Bros., 25. Clarence Street. Liverpool, applied before the North-Western Deputy Licensing Authority for two additional 2i-ton vehicles on their A licences. Mr. Ian Macaulay appeared for the applicants, whilst Mr, G. H. P. Beames represented the railways and Mr. V. R. Shepherd, Pickfords, Ltd.
At a previous sitting, Mr. Macaulay said the applicants based their application on an increase in their customers' business and quoted figures based on the Beasley formula.
Mr. Alfred Horenstein, furniture manufacturer, giving evidence on behalf of the applicants, said that the furniture carrying business was differeat„ to-day, from whatit had been in the past, by reasom of the -changes in design. Where a man would order half a dozen three-piece suites, he now ordered only, say, two of each design, owing to the multiplicity of patterns; consequently, instead of furniture being sent out in comparatively large consignments, it was now dispatched only in small lots.
From the Manufacturers' point of view, he had no hesitation in saying that the service offered by road transport was far superior to that of rail transit. He had sent goods by rail for 20 years and for the past 10 years by road. The trader received his goods more quickly and in better condition, as they were carried more safely. by road. The extent of breakages when using the railway was enormous.
in their submissions, Mr. Shepherd and Mr. Beanies contended that the evidence adduced was insufficient to justify the grant of the licences, and that the facilities offered by their respective companies were both suitable and adequate.
'M:. Macaulay declared that the case was simply based on an increase of business. The railways had not disclosed a facility exactly comparable with that of the applicants, dealing, as it did, in picking up and setting down small lots at various points en route.
With regard to the requirements of manufacturers, he thought that the evidence tendered by letters and oral evidence were sufficient to show that this service did fill a real need. The only comparable, service was .that of Pickfords, Ltd., which company was running only six furniture vehicle& as against the eight of Messrs. Perris Bros., and spreading them over four districts, as against the two services of the applicants. Was it altogether desirable that a business should be worked at full pressure, as had been described? .
In the basic year, under the Beasley formula, the value per ton of unladen weight was £332, and it would be E..343 if the present application were granted. There had been a big increase and it appeared that Messrs. Perris Bros. were within their basic-year limit in asking for an increase of 5 tons.
Decision was reserved...