Mr. James Warns Against Boycott
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DROSPECTIVE passengers who had
said that if a licence were not granted to a particular operator they would rather walk to work than ride with anyone else, were warned about the probable effects of a boycott by Mr. W. P. James, chairman, West Midland Traffic Commissioners, at Birmingham on Tuesday.
." If the public boycott a service which has been provided for their benefit—it will be their responsibility if the service has to be withdrawn. It will be little use their coming along later and saying that they want a service," said Mr. James.
The Commissioners granted an application by the North Western Road Car Co., Ltd.; to ran a works stage service from Biddulph and Congleton, Staffs, to the factory of A. V. Roe, Ltd., at Woodford.
They refusedan applicatian by Mr. James Arthur . Smith, Albert Street, Biddulph, an employee at the factory, to run a similar service. Mr. Smith said that he would appeal. "
The hearing of Mr. Smith's application began in May but it was adjourned when North Western, who opposed it, intimated that they were preparing a similar application. The two applications were heard together on Tuesday, when Mr. Smith objected to the North Western application.
Mr. Smith produced supporting letters from Biddulph Urban District Council, the Avro joint shop stewards' committee and the Conileton branch of the Amalgamated Engineering Union.
For the company, Mr. Anthony Rothera said that they took over a similar service from Bostock's in 1957, but, he alleged, Owing to illegal operation by Mr. Smith, their passengers were lost, -and in October, 1959, the service was discontinued.
He described evidence called by Mr. Smith, the gist Of which was that workers would rather give up their jobs than travel with North Western, aS " fantastically illogical."
Giving' decision, Mr. James said that if there were illegal competition with the company the Commissioners would use the law to 'stop it if they could obtain sufficient evidence.
MINISTER TO OPEN Ro.S.P.A. CONGRESS ' HIS year'S 'National Safety. Congress organized by •the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, will. be opened on October 18 at Central Hall, London, S.W.1, by Mr. Ernest Marples, Minister of Transport.
The road-safety forum will take place during the following day under the chair-, manship of Sir Richard Nugent, M.P. One of the speakers at the Congress dinner,. to be held at the Cafe Royal, Regent Street, London, W.1, on October 18, will be Lord Chesham, Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport.