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Requisitioning of Used- v ehicle Stocks QOME months ago the Ministry of

17th January 1941
Page 12
Page 12, 17th January 1941 — Requisitioning of Used- v ehicle Stocks QOME months ago the Ministry of
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

Transport was engaged in studying the possibility of controlling the prices of used commercial vehicles. The idea received a somewhat mixed reception. Operators were torn between their wish to sell any surplus vehicles at high prices and their reluctance to buy others at inflated figures.

One users' association even plumped for official control. The pros and cons of the position were reviewed in a leading article entitled " Control of Used-vehicle Prices," appearing in our issue dated November 15, 1940, in which we stated that we considered that the difficulties of price control far outweighed any advantage that might be gained. At the same time, we strongly advised operators and agents not to take too great an advantage of a situation arising from difficulties caused by the war and the consequent dearth of road transport.

Our warning in this respect is proving well based in at least some parts of the country, for agents who have bought vehicles and kept them in stock with the idea of awaiting the soaring of prices have had at least some of their purchases requisitioned for immediate use, and, obviously, at figures much lower than those for which they hoped.

In this way, what is practically an automatic control of prices has been imposed and, obviously, any agent who now keeps in stock a large number of used vehicles is liable to be pounced upon and lose some of those geese which have been laying the golden eggs.

Whilst sympathizing with agents who are playing the game, we cannot help feeling . that others who have bought purely for stock will, if this procedure be followed throughout the country, reap a just reward. With vehicles at a premium and becoming scarcer every day, those whn continue to hold them purely for financial gain are serving their own ends rather than those of their country. Our advice to them is to get these vehicles again into circulation as rapidly as possible and be content with moderate benefits.

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Organisations: Ministry of Transport

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