Stabilized Rates and Cost Records
Page 16
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A RECENT article by dealing with the conveyance of "smalls" demonstrated that the position of the parcels carrier was analogous to that of the retail shopkeeper. The latter has goods to sell at fixed prices. His success or failure depends to a large extent upon the volume of business he can transact. The parcels carrier conveys the goods entrusted to him at rates which, to-day, are, to all intents and purposes, fixed. He must, therefore, carry a certain minimum so that • his revenue will Iurpass his expenditure.
That is more or less true of all businesses, less so, perhaps, in thecase of the jobbing haulier than of others ; but if the time ever comes when haulage rates are stabilized, then all hauliers will be alike in that respect. The successful ones will be those who operate most efficiently and convey a sufficient tonnage to ensure that receipts exceed expenditure. Those who are about to be engaged in hauling for the Government, having offered their vehicles for the Chartered Fleet, have been deliberately placed in that position. They must, if they would make any substantial profits, run their vehicles over 400 miles per week, and thus become eligible for the better rates which are paid for the higher categories of weekly mileages.
One thing is certain : When this war is over, and the industry settles down to work to agreed rates, the need for a practical system of accounts keeping will be more emphatic than ever. Hauliers will need to keep themselves well and continuously acquainted with their progress. In the absence of such accurate knowledge, frequently checked, there is going to be serious risk of their becoming involved in considerable loss with small hope of redemption.