One Battle Won—More to Fight
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MANY C-licensed operators thrdughout the country must have heaved sighs of relief when they learnt that, as a result of the strongest opposition from trade and industry, as organized by the Traders' Road Transport Association, the British Road Federation and many other representative bodies, the Government had withdrawn from the Transport Bill the clauses by which it was proposed to restrict users in this class to a 40-mile radius of operation, except where special permits had been applied for and granted.
It must be remembered, however, that this is only a partial victory affecting a limited number of traders, i.e., those who are already operating or who intend to utilize their own vehicles. Admittedly, the volume of the units in question is large—in fact. by far the greatest number of commercial vehicles on the road; but thousands of smaller traders and concerns arc either not in a position to purchase their own means for transport or do not wish to follow this procedure. They have, hitherto, relied upon the haulier. It will thus be seen that their problem is still much to the fore. If they require their loads to be carried over a 25-mile radius from the hauliers' bases, then, as matters stand. they will have to apply to the Transport Commission.
No Advantages Gained by Hauliers So far, hauliers themselves have gained nothing. All important amendments put forward on their behalf have been quashed, and undoubtedly some. Possibly the larger Proportion, are feeling sore. However, they should not be discouraged. It is obvious that the Government had to retreat because of the overwhelming strength of the national opposition. No doubt it presumes that the concusion will be so appreciated by those immediately concerned that their opposition towards the Transport Bill as a whole will be either rlronned or conciderably reduced. In our view this danger must be obviated.
Before the recent war Hitler won his gains piecemeal by splitting the political forces arrayed against him and making yasme promises of rewards in other directions. All in road transport must see to it that a similar procedure does not occur in our field. Instead of any weakening in the fight, there must be a great intensification of effort. This is no time for any bitterness or envy, nor for one section to crow over another.
Except for the relaxation in connection with C licensees, nothing material has been altered, and all who have any connection with road transport and its employment should realize the urgent necessity of giving every possible aid to those who are representing the interests of the haulier. Quite apart from the fact that thousands of men who have put their all into haulage businesses and have built them up from the smallest beginnings would be most unfairly and ungenerously treated, there is the vital point that they are affording a service to' the trade of this country which is of vital importance and greatly appreciated. In fact, there is no country in the world which is better, or even so well, provided for in this respect.
Short-distance Limit is Ridiculous There would be a certain amount of amelioration of the position if, as a minimum, the Government could be brought to the tealization that the 25-mile limit for the haulier is ridiculously small and that to consider anything over this mileage as long-distance work is an assumption which cannot stand analysis.
To an important extent the main purpose of the Bill has already been weakened. The ancillary operator cannot help but be a competitor against State-owned haulage. The Minister, of Transport has warned C-licensed operators that they must not abuse their freedom, particularly by such an evasion of the law as the carrying of goods for hire or reward. To the best of our belief, however, there have been few cases of this type.
During the war, of course, under Defence Permits, many ancillary users were permitted to transport goods for others; in fact, they were encouraged to do so in the early years in order to help the war effort, and to avoid, so far as possible, running light on return journeys. Some traders, particularly Those with numerous depots, can do much to obviate uneconomic operation of this type, and no doubt more efforts will be made to extend such possibilities.