Commerce Enters the Lists
Page 25
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Trade and Industry are Beginning to A ppreeiate the Urgent Need fo r Road Transport 0 N many occasions we have emphasized the importance of considering the requirements of trade and industry in any matter relating to the state control of road transport.
There is an inclination on the part of the Government and its officials to treat road transport as being in the nature of a pariah, as something which can be limited or reduced to meet the whims of a railway autocracy, whilst permitting the operation of sufficient vehicles to prevent undue reduction of the receipts from taxation.
Very little consideration has been given in the past to the urgent needs of trade and industry. Innumerable applications for extra vehicles fequired to carry, in an efficient and expeditious manner, the commerce of the country have been refused, merely to bolster up transport by rail. In these matters the transport user has had very little say, beyond appearing in some instances in the part of supporter of an application. It is obvious to us, however, that trade and industry must eventually have the final word, for the prosperity of the nation depends upon them, and if they decide that road transport is essential to their needs, then this must constitute one of the most cogent factors in influencing our legislators.
In this connection we draw attention elsewhere in this issue to an important manifesto circulated by the Willesden Chamber of Commerce. This takes the form of an explanation of the reasons why road transport must be given further freedom of action, and incorporates a resolution demanding that the Government shall institute a committee of inquiry to consider the formulation of an amending Bill to cover urgent considerations which have arisen in connection with certain difficulties in the Road and Rail Traffic Act, 1933.
It is pointed out by the Chamber concerned that the effects of this Act have been far more drastic than could possibly have been the intention of Parliament, and that, in effect, the original Bill was passed by Parliament before road transport could be suitably represented.
The memorandum has already been circulated to over 200 Members of Parliament and to chambers of commerce throughout the country, and its reception in both cases has been most striking and cordial, promises of support having been received from all quarters.
We are convinced that an enormous amount of good can be accomplished -for our industry, particularly the haulage side, if this strong effort made by the -Willesden Chamber be backed up by other chambers of industry and trade.
Undoubtedly trade holds the whip hand, and if it be sufficiently stirred, neither the railways nor the Government will have the audacity to fight the people upon whom the prosperity of this country depends to such a very, great extent. We would like to see this effort on behalf of the Willesden Chamber supported by the British Road Federation and other representative bodies.