A tale to tell

20th October 1978, Page 31

20th October 1978

Page 31

Page 31, 20th October 1978 — A tale to tell

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John Weinthal, the Australian press and public relations manager of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, and his team have done a splendid job for commercial vehicle operators as well as for manufacturers in publicising the Motor Show. He has issued a series of excellent articles that spotlight the serious problems faced by operators and the vital part played by road transport.

Although they are presented in a popular style to appeal to the lay press they are the work of transport journalists who know their subject thoroughly. One of the articles explodes the mischievous myth that heavy lorries are subsidised by the public purse.

"Every heavy artic on the road contributes about £6,000 a year to the Treasury's coffers before any tax is paid on profit," it says, and does the sums to prove it. After this kind of soaking it is surprising that any haulier running big lorries makes a profit on which to pay tax.

"The Chancellor makes a clear £470 million every year from heavy trucks", the article concludes. The Sunday Times, please copy.

A tale to tell

Page 31

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