OPINIONS and QUERIES
Page 25
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Folly and Mummery of Government Policy
WE are indeed indebted to you for your, outspoken articles exposing the folly and mummery of Government policy towards our industry for years. However, facing the New Year, we assure the present Minister of Transport of our loyalty and good will to him in the most difficult task that confronts him. Indeed, a situation that demands sowing at harvest time, and burning the tares already sown.
• We venture to suggest that the prospect will, most • rapidly improve if he adopts a broad-minded policy of removing obstacles, restrictions and complications; as opposed to further doubtful experiments.
In support of this theory, may I quote from the article " Road Transport Repression Imperils the State," on pagd 434 of The Commercial Motor for November 8, 1935: " The clumsy hands of State should be withdrawn from the delicate mechanism and poise of economic life before they become corrupt as well as clumsy," says Major H. E. Crawfurd. With his
experience of transport, including a seat on the Royal Commission on Transport, were these words prophetic? On the, other hand, our industry has always responded readily and voluntarily to any national appeal yet made.
To-day allow us the vehicles and if anything wants moving we will move it. Move the goods from the danger areas—take the food to the people, and the goods to industry in spite of bombs, fire and falling shrapnel. Our drivers are splendid.
To do this we must have restored to us our lost liberty and right to expand. Free competition is the sure foundation of a healthy and virile industry best able to serve our Nation whatever the future may be.
• In the name of our cause, Freedom and Democracy, for goodness' sake allow us to go to it—now !
Blaby. J. ARNOLD KIRBY, Chairman, East Midland Area Associated Road Operators.