The Government Censured at A.R.O. Function M AJOR Eric Long has
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passed some severe strictures upon the Government plans for utilizing road transport, as those plans were divulged and operated upon during the recent crisis. In proposing the toast of" H.M. Government" at the annual dinner of the South Eastern Area of A.R.O., on Thursday of last week, Major Long turned his attention to the provision made by the Government for utilizing the services of road transport in time of need. It must be obvious to everyone, he said, that we must be forearmed. The A.R.O. warned the Government, three years ago, that preparation was necessary. Its overtures were met with a rebuff, nevertheless the Association produced a plan. Its suggestion was that the traffic areas should be made more or less self-contained districts, in which the control of the transport organization should be in the hands of the Traffic Commissioners. Each Commissioner and his staff should form the nucleus of a committe to act in any emergency. The Government acted on that suggestion, but its action came too late and Traffic Commissioners were hopelessly confused.
Mr. Alfred C. Bossom, M.P., said the Government wished to pay a tribute to the road transport industry, vrhich had been a tower of strength during the crisis. Sir. Robert Gower said he was perturbed at the disclosures made by Major Long.
Sir Henry Piggott, who proposed the toast of the Association, said that if this country were engaged in a war. road transport would be of vital
importance. He said that he had a responsible part in the preparations made during the crisis. He felt that he could depend upon every member of the Association doing his bit in time of emergency.
Major Cmwfurd said that Sir Henry Piggott's speech was of great value to the Association and to the nation. He urged all those in authority to mark Sir Henry's utterance.
Mr. Sewill, in proposing the toast of the Guests, made some preliminary references to recent rumours concerning a merger. He then went on to deal with the question of rates and said that A.R.O. had made up its differences with the Liaison Committee. Prior to that it had done a good deal of work towards building up a rates structure and he referred to help which the Association had had from Mr. Scott Hall, costs expert of The Commercial Motor.
Mr. G. Mackenzie junner, Editor of The Commercial Motor, in replying on behalf of the guests, also referred to this critical matter of the use of road transport in emergency. He reminded those present of the leading article in the issue of his journal dated October 7, and said that following its publieation he had received an invitation to meet the official of the Ministry chiefly responsible for road-transport defensive measures. He had had a long conference with that official and had no doubt that steps would be taken immediately to improve matters, largely on the lines indicated in that
leader.