Reject cut rates: BRS chief
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AT an open for-urn on Wednesday afternoon, Mr. L. S. Payne, managing director of BRS Ltd., asked hauliers for their co-operation in an endeavour to get the correct rate for the job. His company was, he said, now refusing to carry goods which did not give an adequate return on capital employed; he was now refusing brick traffic because the rate was uneconomic. He expected a return of not less than 15 per cent on capital.
Some operators suggested a rates structure throughout the industry, others thought ratecutters should be outlawed. But Mr. A. R.. Butt (W. Midland area) abhorred the idea of the RHA becoming involved in a "protection racket"; rates must vary between haulier and haulier. Mr. T. Rice (Eastern area) suggested that protected traffics. were the answer, this had worked in the Eastern area 30 years ago.
Delegates were also concerned about subarea apathy, and proposed means of increasing members' participation; but Mr. E. Barber (Eastern) doubted whether anything would awaken sub-areas and achieve good attendances.
Mr. G. T. Fraser (Scottish), concerned at the effect of the shortage of vehicle spares, asked the Association to take this up with the MoT. He thought manufacturers should be licensed for business in thesame way as hauliers.