Commissioner's Hint on How to
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Stabilize Rates
APROMISE to investigate an allegation of exploitation of war-time circumstances to the detriment of Yorkshire hauliers handling sand and gravel, was given by Major F. S. Eastwood, Transport Commissioner for the NorthEastern Region, at Barnsley, last week, when he attended a successful hot-pot supper held by the Barniley Sub-area of A.R.O. Mr. A. H. Butterwick, A.M.Inst.T., ex-chairman of the Yorkshire area, presided.
The complaint concerning sand and gravel haulage was made by Mr. J. A. M. Bright, of Selby. He said that additional petrol had been allowed recently in Yorkshire for the road haulage of sand and gravel required in connection with war work, and because hauliers undertaking this traffic could readily obtain fuel for it they were being induced to work at rates which he contended were far too low.
Promising to investigate the cordplaint of exploitation, Major Eastwood said the additional petrol had been allowed in respect of haulage work required for urgent Government contracts.
Mr. Butterwick also alluded to the matter, and said that by maintaining close unity among themselves, hauliers were in a position to demand reasonable economic rates.
The rates position generally was commented on frankly by Major Eastwood, who said it was the road hauliers' own fault that they had not better rates. Blackleg hauliers had, during the past four years, been the trouble in the haulage industry. He was glad to know that, at last, the industry was tackling the rates problem, for he wanted to see all hauliers operating at economic rates.
The haulier, he suggested, should earn at least 15s. for every gallon of
petrol which he used. As to how rates stabilization should be achieved, he suggested it behoved hauliers to follow the example of the railway companies, who did not have to go. to the Government in order to formulate a rates' structure, but worked it out themselves and then got authority for it.