WHAT ARE THE R.T.E.'S INTENTIONS?
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I WOULD go even further than the very timely leading 'article under the above heading in your issue dated December 24. I cannot see why, even at this stage, the Road Transport Executive, in making its plans, should not have regard to the welfare of the remaining fourfifths of the industry.
It should not be forgotten that although the road haulage industry is made up of a large number of, mostly, small units, a high degree of co-ordination has existed for some years past among those units, and particularly certain sections of them. If the R.T.E. has no regard to this fact but goes ahead with its own plans in isolation, it may be found difficult, or even impossible, in due course to co-ordinate the State organization to what remains of the existing " free " organization.
Occasions have already arisen where it might have been helpful if consultation had taken place. As an express carrier I have always been much impressed by the efficient structure that has made it possible, as a result of co-operation between the carriers, for parcels and other goods to be carried quickly and surely from one part ot the country to another.
As was inevitable, many of these carriers have been, or will be, acquired and there is already evidence that those already within the R.T.E. are readjusting their services accordingly. Express carriers who have been accustomed to handling traffic within their own districts for other express carriers now acquired find, often without warning, that traffic is being transferred to another carrier.
Where two firms amalgamate in the ordinary way of business, this sort of result is to be expected. I cannot help feeling, however, that acquisition by the B.T.C. does not come under the heading of "ordinary business," and that where the operations of a firm are likely to be substantially affected as a result of acquisition, it would be advantageous if both sides of the industry
could be consulted. R. B. BRITTAIN. South Benfleet, Essex.