The Story of War-time Transport
Page 35
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All Forms of Transport, Except That by Road, Extended to the Fullest Extent and in Need of Some Relief From Their Burden
By "Tantalus
THE story of transport. in war-time, as related by Mr. P. 3. Noel-Baker, Parliamentary Secretary to the M.O.W.T.; in a recent debate in the House of Commons, was an impressive one In the course of his remarks, Mr. Noel-Baker pointed out that the powers of the Minister touch the interests of every manufacturer and trader, as well as those of a large section of the general community. He went on to iay that to-day, more than ever, transport has become a fighting arm— that it is, in fact, the fourth: fighting service. Strange as it rnay seem, transport has -become such an integral part of our daily lives that, too often, it is taken for granted Without a thought being given to the ramifications and dependency of the Services rendered.
As Mr. Noel-Baker reviewed the work of the Merchant Navy and the railways, he unfolded a story Of magnificent achievement. In comparison, however, little was said regarding the accomplishments of those engaged in road transport, although, in all justice, they can claim a share of the Nation's gratitude. .
In dealing, first, with shipping, there is no need to draw upon the imagination in order to Visualize the heavy burden which has rested upon the shoulders` of the Minister. The task is one which has been carried out with fortitude, ceaseless vigilance and meticulous planning. No praise can be too high for this particular branch of. the M.O.W.T. The House heard, with admiration and gratitude, details of the convoys and how, whilst carrying immense and increasing cargoes, they got through despite the fiercest attacks by surface craft, U-boats and aircraft, to all of which they were continually subjected. There were descriptions, also, of the millions of troops transported overseas, together with vast quantities of Tanks, aircraft and other equipment. Reference was made also to the numbers of brave men who will never sail again, but who nobly carried out their task in making successful* achievement possible. The story of those who go down to the sea in ships is one of outstanding courage and dogged determination, ever adding fresh lustre to the fame and traditions of the Royal Navy and Merchant Navy alike.
Railways Loaded to Capacity.
With regard to the railways, the record is most impressive but of an entirely different character. Whilst they have escaped the menace of surface craft and U-boat attacks, they have not been, immune from aerial warfare. The routes to be followed have been neither very lengthy nor widely circuitous as in sea voyages, so that the problem of 'organizing the railway system to meet the demands of war requirements has been more simple, than in the case 'of shipping. It has resolved itself, rather, into a matter of loading the railways to the fullest extent of carrying capacity. That this has been successfully, accomplished is beyond all doubt, as is proved by the figures quoted by Mr. Noel-Baker. For example, in 1943 the railways were carrying 1,000,000 ton-miles more freight traffic every hour of every day than they did before the war. Light merchandise showed an increase of 86 per cent.; even coal traffic was up 13 per cent. The number of passengers carried in 1943 had increased by the remarkable figure of 106,000,000. There were
7,000 extra trains for warkers every week. . It should be noted that these extra burdens had to be carried despite a reduction in rolling-stock and equipment.
The system of zoning railway hauls provided satisfactory results. The saving in fish-train mileage was 35 per cent. In beer, chocolate, biscuits and other items the saving in a year had reached the remarkable figure of 276,000,000 ton-miles. The railways were working together as a single team—passenger stock and freight wagons had been placed in a common pool.. In addition, competitive rates had been cut out and there had been great economies of man-power, particularly so in the matter of the clerical grades. In this connection Mr. NoelBaker remarked that he hoped they might get something of the same description from the co-operation of the haulage concerns in the Road Haulage Organization.
The long-neglected canals and inland waterways have carried as much as 1,000,000 tons per month, and the position now is that there are more cai-g6es than can be carried.
Cuts in Road Transport As already stated, in the course of Mr. Noel-Baker's speech, little was said regarding the war-time effort of road transport. Reference was made, however, to certain features when it was revealed that road-transport services had been reduced 30 per cent. and the fuel and rubber shortage had resulted in a cut of road-vehicle mileage representing a third of the pre-war figure. The numerous schemes in connection with the rationalizing of th'e retail distribution of groceries, bread, milk and other commodities have saved 25;000,000 galls, of motor fuel per year, or 36 per cent. This is fat beyond the target figure and added to this is the saving of 34,000 vehicles and considerable man-power.
Regarding the Report of the Select Committee, the Parliamentary. Secretary stated that a written reply thereto would be available very soon. He went on farther to remark that as for the future he wished he could say that a master plan for the organization of national transport was being prepared. Before any general plan can be considered, a long and careful study of each individual form of transport is essential. It was made clear also that after the cessation of hostilities control must continue for an appreciable period.
The Report undoubtedly reveals that whereas all other forms of transport are extended to the fullest extent, such is not the case in respect of road transport. Shipping tonnage has been increased to a degree surpassing all previous records. The railways are carrying a tonnage which exceeds the wildest dreams of any board of directors. Even the canals are overloaded and unable to cope with the demands. As opposed to this state of affairs, road-transport services have been severely and deliberately cut. In short, the service possessed of the greatest degree of mobility and adaptability—and able, therefore, to meet any demands however varied—is not permitted to function to full capacity. Mr. Noel-Baker has given no indication of any proposed change or modification as regards the existing policy. Perhaps the reply to the charges set forth by the Select Committee will reveal some interesting matter.