Steady Expansion Can be Resumed
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says James Barrie, National Chairman, Road fiaulaze Association ABOLITION of the 25-mile limit marks the culminating point of a long struggle by the Road Haulage Association. We have been sustained by the knowledge that we had on our side the whole of trade and industry and a not inconsiderable section even of the people who originally favoured nationalization.
It would be ungracious not to express thanks to the present Government for appreciating the importance of restoring complete freedom as soon as they thought possible. At the same time, we may hope that this question of restricting free enterprise while leaving nationalized transport completely untouched can now be regarded as over.
We have suffered more than our fair share of political interference. It has shackled the growth of the road haulage industry over the past five years. During much of this time the country's production and prosperity have been on the increase, Hauliers have played some part in helping this development, but time and time-again have been prevented from doing more by the arbitrary ban on their movement outside a radius of .25 miles.
Now comes the opportunity of steady expansibn of road haulage in its service to trade and industry. The effect of the relaxation may not be immediately apparent, for most hauliers are at present fairly well occupied on work arising from the country's improved economic condition.
As time ,goes on they will be better able to meet the needs of their customers. Many of them will have to go to the licensing courts for extra vehicles.
Thus, for the first time since before the war the road haulage industry can resume its interrupted progress. Once more the trader can have the choice of
a number of specialized services, not only for his local deliveries, but for the carriage of his goods to and from all parts of the country. His use of these facilities will confirm his preference for the personal service and efficiency that the haulier alone can provide.
It is not unreasonable to hope that before long the industry will have regained all the ground lost in the past few years. If trade and industry make their opinion plain, no question will ever arise again of politicians deliberately creating obstruction to the efficient development of road transport merely for political ends.
Once this state of affairs has been reached, there can equaa be no question of curbing the liberty of the customer to use whatever transport he , thinks fit to provide the specialized services he requires.