Day of days
Page 59
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)ecember 31, 1954 (:/itor: G. Mackenzie Junner rOMORROW will be the greatest day in the history of modern road aulage. All A-licensees will gain be free to carry goods nywhere, and the most effecive step in denationalisation rill have been taken.
Hauliers will once more be ble to prove that private en?rprise can satisfy the needs f trade and industry. Cometition will be keen, but trafc is plentiful, and those who ave commercial ability and kill in management will enjoy prosperous New Year. Those 'hose sole idea of securing :.affic is to undercut all rivals rill go to the wall and their assing will be unlamented. Competition must be based n service. Investigations by 'he Commercial Motor have hown that many traders are ir more interested in reliable, exible, quick service than in a minimum rate. Operators who intelligently exploit the natural advantages of small units have no need to work at rockbottom prices, although, as their overheads are lower than those of British Road Services, they can often afford to charge a little less and still make a fair profit.
In a sense, hauliers will be on probation. The present Government has shown confidence in them by abolishing the 25-mile limit and offering to their former owners vehicles taken over by the British Transport Commission. The Government will be the judges of the success or otherwise of denationalisation and the customers and the trade unions will be the jury.
Vehicles must -be properly maintained, and the highest standards must be preserved in the conduct of business, including the observance of licencing conditions.