ANTI-NATIONALIZATION VOICE CALLS FOR FIGHTING FUNDS
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BRITAIN'S independent bus and coach operators are being invited to contribute towards the cost of the national campaign against the Minister's Passenger Transport Authority plans.
The Passenger Vehicle Operators Association is calling for £2 a vehicle (maximum £100) from all its members.
And the same appeal has gone to nonmember operators who "will be affected by the shortand long-term implications of Mrs. Castle's nationalization proposals".
The fund will be used exclusively in the campaign organized by the Passenger Transport Vehicle Operators Independence Committee (VOICE) to defend the entire industry against nationalization.
Response hope
Response to the appeal is expected to be widespread and immediate.
VOICE chairman Mr. Raymond Birch says: "We already have the full support of the Parliamentary Opposition.
"But if we are going to win, we must also gain support from the travelling public, who can expect only a deterioration in services and higher fares.
"From ratepayers, who are going to have to foot the bill for losses. From local councillors, who will be held responsible for higher rates.
"From local authorities, who will lose control of their own stage services.
The danger
"And from chambers of commerce and other trade organizations—including taxi associations—whose members will suffer.
"These people must be told what is happening and how it will affect them not one person in 100 is alive to the danger.
"All this will call for posters in vehicles, handbills for passengers, leaflets for councillors, informed comment in the national, financial, provincial and Trade Press.
"In short, a great deal of hard work and an expensive public relations campaign. "Although a minority of pessimistic operators already seem convinced we are fighting a losing battle, let it be remembered that the same kind of pessimism was felt when we faced a similar threat in 1947.
"If we had lost then, there would be no independent operators left today; in fact there are nearly 5,000."
Cheques to: "Fighting Fund", PVOA, 22 Upper Woburn Place, London, WC1— says the appeal.