Changes in Law Urged in R.H.A.
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Conference Resolutions
TWENTY-NINE resolutions-under nine main headings will be con
sidered by the annual conference of the Road Haulage Association at Eastbourne next week. Some of them are highly controversial. The subject headings are: (1) Nationalized undertakings; (2) licensing legislation; (3) taxation; (4) construction and use of vehicles; (5) motor fuels; (6) industrial relations; (7) road safety; (8) highway construction; and (9) membership and administration. Amendments to the Law on keeping records, transport by farmers, the currency of A and B licences, weight limits and the speed limit for heavy goods vehicles are to be urged. It is also suggested that the carrying of loads greater than the maximum payload capacity certified by a manufacturer for a vehicle should be illegal.
The West Midland Area 'suggests that nationalized undertakings should be made responsible to a Minister in the House of Commons and that as much of their transport . as possible should be open to public tender.
The North Western (Eastern) Area wants Section 16 (5) of the 1933 Act to be amended so that if a licence holder can prove that an offence in connection with records was committed without his knowledge and that he did all that was possible to prevent it, he should not he held guilty. •
The South Wales Area recommends that in any new Traffic Act, the concession Whereby farmers are allowed to charge for carrying goods for• neighbouring farmers without holding A or B licences should be removed.
"Relax 25-mile Limit"
Another resolution urges that the Association, should continue to press for the relaxation of the 25-mile limit in all cases where licence conditions do not restrict the haulier's activities to distances of not more than 25 miles.
Existing A and B licences, according to the Metropolitan and South Eastern Area, should be given five years' currency, concurrent with that of special A licences.
Resolutions deploring purchase .tax and the high rate of fuel tax will be presented, along with one declaring that the present method of taxing mid licensing vehicles by unladen weight should be reconsidered. Mechanical elevators should be exempt . from trailer duty, say the Eastern and Western Areas.
Increases in gross weight limits and axle limits are proposed by the Eastern and Northern Areas. The weakness of successive Ministers in failing to raise the Speed limit on heavy goods vehicles to 30 m.p.h. is deplored.
The formation of a small committee to advise members on the results of research on matters of interest to the road transport industry is suggested by the Metropolitan and South eastern
Area. In the opinion of the South Yorkshire Area, the manufacture of two-piece broken rims should . be discontinued. .
The resolution " That in the ipterests of economy, safety and -tO prevent rate cutting, all vehicles should be certified by . the manufacturers, showing the maximum carrying capacity, and that the carrying of greater loads should be illegal," comes from the West Midland Area.
• According to the Northern Area, the quality of commercial petrol seems to have deteriorated and the oil companies should improve it. Operators who pay oil-fuel tax should no longer have to keep records of purchases, says another resolution.
Under the heading of " Industrial Relations," it is suggested that the R.H.A. should develop a drivers' section, and that the Association should ensure an adequate supply of trained personnel for the industry. A resolution declares that owner-drivers should be accorded the same facilities as any member of a trade union with regard to loading and unloading.
Among three resolutions on road safety, one requires "cats' eyes" to be inserted in all Class A and B roads and the other suggests that there should be better control of traffic by the police. A standard system of indicating pedestrian crossings and the use of pedestrianoperated traffic lights is recommended. Demands for better roads are made in three more resolutions.
Day-and-night Service It is also suggested that the R.H.A. should compile a list of garages in main towns which are willing to provide dayand-night breakdown services for commercial vehicles.
The formation of a code of conduct for members is again suggested. A resolution that the Association's memorandum and articles should be amended to permit a separate organization to be sponsored to set up clearing houses throughout the country stands in the name of the West Midland .Area.
Business SeSSiOriS will be held trom10.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and' from 2.30 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. next Wednesday, and from 10.30 a.m. to 12.45 p.m. on Thursday'. The National Council will meet
next Friday. . .
There will be a civic reception and dance on Wednesday evening and the conference bauquet and ball will take place on Thursday evening. The
• Minister, of Transport,Mr. A. T. LennokBoyd, will be unable 'to attend the banquet and the principal guest will be Mr. Bernard Braine,