Long Spell of 6 Peace "Wanted BELIEVE that the greatest need of
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I our transport industry is a long period of peace and stability, untroubled by any disturbance, be it political, economic; military or industrial—a spell in which we can all just get on with the job." Mr. Frank Gilbert, chief officer (staff) of the ,J3ritish Transport Commission, made this observation in an address to the Merseyside and district section of the Institute of Transport last week.
He was speaking on industrial relations in the transport industry, and, referring to trade unions, stated that their role had changed and widened. Acceptance of this changed role ought to carry with it a profound sense of responsibility at all levels and be coupled with a willingness to forsake outworn or restrictive customs.
But whatever task was assigned to the trade unions, it was the function of the. executives of a transport organization to manage and to do so without interference from any quarter. This was sometimes overlooked when joint consultation was being considered. The function of management ought not to be surrendered to any other party. Joint consultation did not mean sharing the task of management with the workers,
In the transport industry there existed a close relationship between the different types of negotiating machinery. It was thus inevitable that any decision reached by one particular section should have repercussions upon others. Too often claims had been examined and decisions reached for a section of 1,1;•orkers in isolation.
SALISBURY BUS TAKE-OVER
THE fleet of 18 buses formerly operated by Salisbury City Council has now been handed over to United Transport (Africa),. Ltd., for a 21-year term. An agreement was reached earlier this year—and has since received the consent of the Governor of Southern Rhodesia—granting an exclusive monopoly to the company to operate a bus service within a radius of 16 miles of
Salisbury Post Office.
A . joint Statement issued by the council and Mr. J. R. Mellor, director and general manager of the company, said that although no immediate changes would be made, the co-ordination of services at present operated by both interests would lead shortly to a better and more even service.
Work would soon begin on a new depot west of the Kopje, which was expected to be .completed in a year. Among -up-to-date equipment which was to be installed was a bus-washing machine.. More than £30,000 had been
spent on buying seven new vehicles. , Mr. Mellor said that he hoped to persuade the authorities to allow the company to run a luxury coach. service between Johannesburg and Salisbury.