Injustice ta the Haulier ?
Page 34
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ON .a previous occasion I challenged the views of f" Tantalus " on the respective places of the A and C licence holders in the transport world. In your issue of August 27 he seizes on the alleged grievances of a haulier to open another front against the C licensee. There are ode or two allegations made by the haulier whose -letter he quotes Which should be questioned. This man alleges that C licensees in his district have had the lion's share of new trucks, and that these are additions to their fleet. I know that in this district operators in this class are not allowed to add to their fleets— not even old vehicles. [We do not know of any restriction of this latter nature except that fuel rations might not be obtainable.—ED.]
He also states that these new vehicles are being used, not for. ancillary purposes, but for hire and reward. I have known of a case where a C licensee has had his fuel cut for using his .vehicles for hire. I think your correspondent will find that his D.T.O. would quickly end a C licensee's hiring activities if such information were placed in his hands.
Your correspondent asserts that 'the M.O.W.T.'s policy was to issue new vehicles to A licence holders or people on essential work; and that it is not working out that way. Perhaps the M.O.W.T. is placing the emphasis on the latter condition, and does not regard the holding of an A licence as any guarantee of " essential work."
Whilst having every sympathy with anyone compelled -to carry on, as your correspondent is, with old worn-out vehicles, I would like to balance his picture by contrasting the C-licence, fleet which I manage with his seven-year-old vehicles. Of a fleet of 39 vehicles, six are 14 years old, another nine seven years or more, and only four new vehicles have been obtained as replacements.
"Tantalus " writes glibly of the privileged position of the C licensee. Privileged! The hauliers now run. over 60 miles under Government auspices. Can the C licensee obtain fuel to run as much as 60 miles? . No! Yet many hauliers in my district have increased their fleets in war-time: Can the C licensee obtain any priority for spare parts not available to those in the "A category? Again no.
I suggest to " Tantalus " that we are all, A. B and C alike, now so much under Governmental control that our • vigilance should be directed to the preservation of what little liberty is left to us. and not against each other.
Edinburgh. T.M.