Hauliers Hold Lively Meeting in Nottingham
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AN open meeting of road-transport operators was addressed last week by Mr W. G. Cooper, East Midland• Area Chairman, A.R.0 Referring to the operations of the Government Haulage Scheme, be said that in its early stages it was bound to be on a " hit or miss " basis, Some of the complaints were well founded, but many of them would be rectified when the scheme• came into full operation.
Operators should remember. it was a Government idea, and not one of the industry's, and the onus of its success or failure rested with the Government. It was up to the members of the industry to co-operate to the full to ensure its utmost success, so that no criticism could be levelled at the industry and used as a lever for nationalization.
Referring to the future of the industry, Mr. Cooper said that nobody in it was expressing clearly what is wanted, whereas enormous nurnbers•of people outside the industry have made up their minds what they want for transport. Those in the industry are far too 'vocal in saying what they do not want.
The only major additional require-ment would appear to be the statutory control of rates based on a national rates schedule. It would be necessary to avoid discrimination as between one trader and another.
During the lively discussion which followed, some operators severely criticized the Government scheme. One referred to the dissatisfaction amongst drivers who were not only working fewer hours but were perturbed at the large amount of empty and light Mileage that they were called upon .to cover.
• Replying, Mr. Cooper pointed out that there was some suggestion of stepping-up drivers' hours to a minimum of 56 per week, and that when traffic over 60 miles was eventually controlled long-distance journeys would have to be run. •
Following this, another haulier protested strongly that the further the lorries went the greater was the loss to the haulier. Mr. Cooper said that operators should keep a record of their costs and submit these to the Finance Panel of the S.J.C., which was, the hod) to negotiate for better terms.