Ministry and Trade Joint Haulage m ANY months ago the Ministry
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if War Transport decided that it would be advisable for the Government, as represented by it, to have at its disposal a fleet of goods vehicles which would be instantly available in the event of an emergency. The view was also taken that the vehicles constituting such a fleet could, normally, be employed for the conveyance of load in which the Government was particularly interested and, when not engaged in such work, could be profitably utilized to act as general haulage media for the carriage of goods and materials in the ordinary course of trade, but, naturally, more particularly for those connected with armament work. To assist the Ministry in this endeavour, it appointed two well-known men in the world of road transport to act as organizers.
The main idea was not that the Ministry should actually own the vehicles, but that hauliers and, &necessary, others should allocate to the Ministry, on a hire basis, either the whole or certain proportions of their fleets, and they would then be guaranteed a more or less fixed profit, the vehicles remaining under their control so far as general operating and maintenance conditions were concerned, whilst the drivers would receive instructions as to where to proceed and what loads to pick up, together with further instructions as to return loads following deliveries.
Criticism Which Is Answered The contemplated arrangement aroused a considerable amount of criticism, the opinion being held by certain sections of the haulage industry that the latter was quite capable of carryinab out all that was necessary without direct control by the Ministry, whilst the entry of the Government into the sphere of general haulage was not appreciated by many hauliers and the clearing houses. At the same time, others realized that it would be a waste of transport if loads were carried in only one direction, for it would certainly not always be possible for the Ministry to arrange to have the vehicles loaded both ways with Government-controlled supplies.
During this period of uncertainty, the Standing Joint Committee put forward its own scheme of organization, but here, again, there was much criticism and not a little opposition, which really centred in certain trading clauses which were embodied in the articles of association. These, however, have now been deleted, and in its latest form the S. J.C. plan would appear to possess desirable features which should make for enhanced efficiency.
In order to establish a bridge between the conflicting interests, the Ministry then instituted the Road Haulage (Operations) Advisory Committee, consisting of men well known in the industry, but not all particularly concerned with haulage, who, it was hoped, would present an impartial picture.
Suggestions of Committee Adopted.
After consultation with this Committee, the original Ministerial plan has been modified by the embodiment of certain suggestions, these being mainly to provide for additional vehicles to be available on call, at short notice, to meet any emergency, and for a complete partnership with the industry in the operation of the .scheme.
The objects laid down by the Minister as the essential features which, on grounds of national policy, any such scheme should embody, are, briefly :—(a) To provide a fleet of vehicles under continuous Government control; (b) to arrange through one channel, at least a considerable part of the long-distance road movement of Government traffic or other traffic necessary to meet national requirements.
As a result of this endeavour, the Minister has decided to put into force as quickly as possible a scheme comprising : —(a) A Ministry organization covering the country, wltich will be divided into six main divisions, whilst_these, as a first step, will be sub-divided into 14 areas. This body will control tire traffic and movement operations of the permanent fleet under direct Ministerial control, whilst, at the same time, it will act as a clearing house for any extraneous traffic which the Ministry is prepared to accept. (b) Additional to this will be an organization set up and managed by the. industry, which will work, in conjunction with the Ministry and will allocate the traffic which is passed to it by the latter. (c) Purely to meet emergencies, there will be a series of " Defence Lines" comprising vehicles belonging to hauliers and other operators, who,will agree to place these at the Minister's disposal at short notice.
Although the official statement does not give any indication as to the exact body which will be managed by the industry, it must at least be presumed that this is likely to be the Road Carriers Association, which is in process of being set up by the S. J.C.
It is announced that rates and conditions of hire, conditions of carriage, insurance and all necessary working arrangements have been agreed and will shortly be rendered available, whilst information as to the manner in which operators may participate in this comprehensive scheme, one way or another, will be announced at an early date through the Ministry's Regional organization, the industry's associations and the Press. The intention of the Minister and of the Advisory Committee is that the Minister and the industry should co-operate to the fullest extent in an effective partnership, in the effort to evolve better use and control of goods road transport during this period of national emergency and shortage of normal facilities.