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"Road transport possesses stronger advantages than the artificial means used against it."— E. C. Marston, Chairman, M.R.S., Ltd.
Page 92
Page 93
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IT is doubtful whether any trade in the industrial history of the country has been subject to greater restrictive efforts to retard its development than longdistance road transport. Legislation over the past few years can almost be termed "vindictive" and the police activities " persecution " ; excessive taxation has also been employed in the effort to stifle" this young virile competitor of the railways, in what I would call its pioneer days.
When I consider that long-distance road transport continues to grow in spite of these restrictions I cannot help thinking that it possesses what I term more natural and stronger advantages than the artificial means used against it, and is, therefore, bound to succeed ultimately. The advantages I have in mind are :—
(A) The geographical situation of the industrial areas in this country, more suited, as to distances, for road transport than for any other known form of transport and linked together by a network of good roads. (B) The advantage over other forms of transport by being able to collect and deliver from door to door, thus c30 avoiding time and wasteful terminal costs. The saving to manufacturers on packing costs alone is an important item.
(C) The demand for its services by the industries of the country is the strongest advantage possessed by road transport. This demand is proved by the growth of the business.
These facts alone convince me of the ultimate successful future of the business, but disorganization exists, and that, in my opinion, is the vital weakness which must be remedied before success can attend the industry as a whole.
At the present time long-distance road haulage is carried on by many hundreds of scattered units, each using up its resources and strength in fighting the others, unmindful of the cardinal fact that the only real competitor, the railways, will strike hardest when the hauliers are weakest.
I consider that the question of long-distance hauliers organizing themselves is long overdue and I cannot overstress the importance of it, but it should he thorough ;
it should endeavour to include every haulier from the largest concerns to the owner-driver. Efforts should be made to remove the prejudice which clearly exists in such a very large number of quarters against road transport.
Many associations of manufacturing interests in this country, the members of which use road transport, should be approached to assist in a campaign designed to educate our politicians and the lay Press on the value of long-distance road transport to our national industries. Steps of this nature, which can only be carried out by an association of hauliers, are the surest way to remove the present prejudices against the business and so ensure its success.