TAX ON CRASH HELMETS

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27678, 7 June 1955, Page 11

TAX ON CRASH HELMETS

- LONDON, June 5. British Medical Association Z®*® customs authorities for about accident deaths. ’ could have saved many v B-M.A. sa d. But crash known as “skidlids,” are too * 12 “T.most riders. <J e ,« xclSe tax on “skidlids” ranges 1® 10s to 15s. doctors say that they started with customs and excise for the removal of this tax. JrJWjen 700 and 800 had died in :^°tiations entS since the start of the resu lted frqm' the lazis- ’ ne ptitude and tragedy of this « civil servant,” the B.M.A. said.

Meanwhile the East Midland organiser of the non-striking National Union of Railwaymen, Mr George Bassington, said last night that he had asked for police protection for his members in two Nottinghamshire districts.

He alleged members had beer assaulted and threatened in clashes with strikers who are members of the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen.

The industrial reporter of the “News Chronicle” said that hopes of breaking the deadlock between the strikers and the British Transport Commission, which controls Britain’s State-owned railways, centred on the Minister of Labour, Sir Walter Monckton.

The Minister would make swift moves to call representatives of the two railway unions and the Transport Commission into conference in an allout effort to find a solution.

“Should he fail in his peace move the nation will be in for a long war of attrition,” said the “News Chronicle.”

“If the strike is prolonged beyond next week-end up to 1,000,000 workers will be unemployed.” The footplatemen are striking in a demand for increased margins. Meanwhile, there is no sign of a settlement of Britain’s second big industrial dispute—the strike in six ports by 20.000 dockers.

They are members of the Stevedores’ Union and they are claiming the right to negotiate with the employers—a right which until now has been granted only to the Transport and General Workers’ Union, whose 50,000 watersider members are still at work.

There are also signs that a third and newest dispute—the walk off of the crew from trans-Atlantic liners—may spread early this week. Five liners are now involved and representatives of the crew are attempting to gain support from the crews of other liners, either in port or expected within the next two or three days.

The crews allege understaffing and bad working conditions.