Road Haulage Must Be Efficient
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SPEAKING the other day to the members of the 'Bedford Sub-area of the Road Haulage Association, the director of that body put into a few words a matter that is strongly exercising the minds of hauliers, as well as many other operators, throughout the country.
He said : "If we are to be nationalized within a measurable period, then let us know the worst so that we can at least arrange for a decent burial. If, however, this istue will not arise for some years, and, still more, if the Government be prepared to consider alternative proposals which give it its measure of control and yet leave the individual in possession of his undertaking and with some freedom in the conduct of it, then the industry would feel it worth while to plan well ahead."
Discussions are taking place between the railway general managers and the Association. Some progress has been Made, and the director is con fident that, arising from these and the preparatory work carried out for the past six years by the Road and Rail Conference, agreed proposals could be advanced which would go far to solve the road-rail problem, whilst producing an efficient and co-ordinated transport system.
If it is to survive, road haulage must not be regarded from the individual standpoint of 50,000 or more separate operators, but as a whole and as one arm of the carrying services of the country. This does not mean that all these operators must be eliminated, and any plan to which the director would subscribe must be designed to keep the small man in business if he be efficient and will accept the obligations of a public service.
Whatever form of organization be eventually adopted, whether out-and-out nationalization, boards, or some other method, this problem of co-ordination will remain. Mere change of ownership would not solve it.