No Nationalization in Ceylon?
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" I AM unable to recommend that any /measures should be taken for the nationalization or municipalization of any of the transport services that are now being operated by privately owned
companies in Ceylon," states • Mr. Donald Rutnam in the second volume of his report on transport conditions in Ceylon. .
Mr. Rutnam is a former Indian civil servant and was requested by the Ceylon Ministry of Transport and Works to report on methods of improving the island's transport system. The first volume of his report was summarized in last week's issue.
Although he does not favour nationalization, Mr. Rutnam says that where all rail facilities exist, longdistance road haulage should he permitted only in special cases where it is shown to • offer better facilities. There should, however, be no restriction on the full development of road passenger transport for town and medi um-d istance services.
There should also he no difficulty in permitting the further development of long-distance coach services, whether or not rail facilities exist when the present operators have formed sound public companies in •which the Government or railways could invest money:
The report, suggests that a transport hoard, with a fulkime-chairman, should be set up to ConVol ,.all commercial road transport and to give _effect to
Government policy. .
Mr. Rutnain' says • that the future prosperity of Ceylon depenffs, on the development of all forms of transport in their appropriate ,spheres and the avoidance of wasteful duplication and unhealthy competition; He • has put• forward a five-point transport policy and 24 .suggestions for the ,.immediate improvement of passenger services and transport generally.
WAGES BILL £10,000 UP
LAST year's wages bill was £10,000 higher than in any previous year. said Mr. J. H. Ewer, managing director of George Ewer and Co., Ltd., one of the leading independent coach operators, at the company's annual diluter, in London, last week. He mentioned this to illustrate the fact that the staff shared .in thecompany's prosperity.
Presentations were made to two employees, one of whom had .had 29 years' service and the other 25 years.
ORDERS FOR 90 GUYS
AMONO ,repeat orders for . buses received by Guy Motors, Ltd., Wolverhampton, is one , fromBergen Municipal Tramways for 10 single deckers. . I. '
Messrs. Darlington Triump.h Servioes have ordered a further,12. Arab singledeckers, bringing their. totaffleet of Guy, single-deckers and -401'61e-deckers lip to 45. When repeat orders placed by the Northern General Transport Co., Ltd., for 34 single-deckers and 34 double-deckers are completed, the company will have 248 Arabs.
NEW SERVICE REFUSED
SOUTI-1 SHIELDS Corporation's application for sanction to run buses into the neighbouring town of Jarrow has been refused by the Northern Licensing Authority, despite the support of Jarrow Corporation. Jarrow held that an additional service was needed, hut the Northern General Transport Co., Ltd., which already , operates in the area, replied that there was no evidence that • its services were insufficient. '
'Mr. S. W. Nelson, the Licensing Authority, said it was a principle that if additional services were needed, they sho.uld be provided, if possible, by the existing operator. If Jarrow Corporation were not satisfied with the existing service, it should approach the Northern General on the matter.