Opinions and Q ueries
Page 22
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CONTROLLING PRICES OF USED • VEHICLES
IT was with great interest that we read your leading I article in your issue of November 15, concerning the control of used vehicle prices.
As you are probably aware, we have specialized in reconditioning used vehicles since the outbreak of war, and the consequent strictly limited manufacture of new vehicles. We very much appreciate the understanding, shown in the article, of the difficulties which would be encountered by the trade if control of used „ vehicle prices were to be enforced without due regard to all the circumstances as detailed in your article. This has increased the confidence that we have in your staff and its outlook.
Wishing your paper all the success it deserves, and assuring you that it has our support.
HORACE P. TAYLOR, Sales and Works Manager, (for W. Harold Perry, Ltd.).
London, N.11.
DRIVERS WANTED FOR COMMERCIAL VEHICLES
EFERRING to the paragraph on page 285 of your L Aissue dated November 15, stating that there are 4,600 goods-transport drivers unemployed.
We have two vehicles standing in Stockton depot and two in our Liverpool depot ; we also require a driver for our Manchester depot. We have applied to the Labour Exchanges 'both here and in Liverpool, and have advertised, but without result.
The conditions of employment of the whole of our staff are regulated .byl-R.H. 4, yet we cannot obtain drivers (Grade I).
Can you give us the name of any district in which these drivers are unemployed, as we would like to get into• communication with the Exchange in that district to see if a transfer could be effected.
W. W. WALTON, Managing Director.
(For and on behalf of Walton's Carriers, Ltd.). Stockton-on-Tees.
WITH reference to the article appearing in The WY Commerocal Motor of November 15, under the title " Why are Thousands of Transport Workers Disengaged? " I should be e5ttrernely obliged if you would pass to me some further information in respect of the number of vehicle drivers represented in your total figure of 7,600 disengaged.
I am responsible to this company for the engagement of personnel on the operating side, which includes a very large number of drivers of vehicles of all classes including passenger, and I have for some weeks informed my managing director that I am unable to fulfil our commitments in respect of the supply of rolling stock, due to the shortage of drivers.
I think you will agree that it is quite reasonable to suggest that the appearance of thearticle referred to has caused some doubt in his mind as to whether every avenue has been pursued to obtain the necessary men. As examples of my efforts I would state that much time has been spent in making telephonic inquiries of Ministry of Labour and National Service Exchanges and employment bureaux in the vicinity of this company's depots, including the Ministry of Labour and National Service Divisional Office, Queen's Gardens, London, W.2.
I pass to you a copy of the letter addressed to eight
employment exchanges in the East End, together with one to the secretary of the National Union of Printing, Bookbinding, and Paper Workers. I have received the same answer to all inquiries, that "there is a great scarcity of drivers." I have, however, been fortunate to pick up approximately four men during the past two weeks—our total requirements being in the neighbourhood of 40 drivers.
You are aware of the class of business we transact, namely, the transport of food and drugs, and work in connection with the L.C.C. evacuation schemes, also other essential traffic.
If the figures quoted by you were obtained from the Ministry of Labour returns, I would respectfully suggest that the Minister himself would render a service by the publication of an analysis of such figures.
Lcindon, S. W.9. W. H. WILLIS,
Fleet Operator, for United Service Transport Co., Ltd.
[The figures that we quoted in the paragraph to which you refer were those officially given, and we have no knowledge as to where these unemployed men are situated. We have, however, written to the Ministry of Labour concerning this matter, and will let you know further on receiving a reply.—ED.]
ROAD TRANSPORT IS COMING INTO ITS OWN HAVE been a reader and follower of your -valuable paper for a period of 18 years and have at all times found it of great interest. This is, however, the first occasion on which I have written to you.
In these trying times, weare not receiving in the road-transport industry, the much-quoted "square deal.We are told to "Go to It." Given the opportunity and without having so many difficulties thrown in our way, we would do so.
It appears to rue that the so-called Ministry of Transport knows absolutely nothing of the job that it has been given to do.
I. myself, am a transport engineer with 21 years' experience, and, in my view, " S.T.R.'s," article in your issue for November 8 was absolutely right. Why does not everyone, get together, the A.R.O., C.M
and all the other associations? If something be not done soon, this country and its transport will be in a bad way and reconstruction will be rendered difficult.
The railways have now proved that they cannot do their job efficiently, despite all their so-called resources —so what about giving commercial road transport its chancel No industry has been more persecuted.than the motor, what with licences, restrictions, taxes, red tape and -humbug, and it is time something was done about it.
I can give you many instances where, through lack of transport, vital foodstuffs are now rotting.
What do the great railway officials now say about the "square deal "I They 'always objected to new licences for road transport, and put in strong opposition. Now matters are different and they are squealing. Yet the way they waste their resources is terrible. Waste is also apparent in other directions. Here, where we are working day and night to keep the road services going full out, at least 100 ambulances are doing nothing, and the drivers are so tired of this that they say they would be only too pleased to keep themselves fit by assisting the country's transport!
Todmorden. TRANSPORT ENGINEER.