T COM M ERCIAL e
Page 27
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MOTOR
Rates: Where Now?
TN this column last week The Commercial Motor had some comments -Ito make about the way in which the Road Haulage Association had conducted hauliers' affairs over the Prices Board's report on their rates increase recommendation. We were riot alone in our concern to find out just what the position was. As can be seen on the next page, at least one major haulier has resigned his RHA membership. Comments by other habliers.were reported last week by this and other journals. Concerned only with discovering the effect of all the comings and goings, The Commercial Motor asked the RHA to say whether it had really acted in hauliers' best interest. The answer, in the form of a general Press release and not a specific statement, is on the next page. Readers can decide for themselves whether it clarifies matters or answers our questions.
• At one point in their statement the RHA say, that although our questions may have seemed pertinent last Friday they "were already superseded by events and are no longer relevant ". What events?
However, The Commercial Motor has no desire to engage in a prolonged public slanging match. There are much more important matters at stake. What the haulage industry must now urgently tackle is the task of building a structure to replace the blanket increase procedure. 'It is to be hoped the RHA will accord that task top priority and then stand firm, come what may.
An intriguing position has arisen with Wednesday afternoon's news of the Transport Holding Company's successful negotiations with Mr. Brown for a 4 per cent increase in BRS parcels revenue. . They seem to have kept remarkably free of the controversy and come away with a worth-while increase.