SUMMIT XI OPEN WITH POTENTIAL SIX-HITTER
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by JOHN N. FRIEDMAN
TWO HUNDRED vehicles delivering newspapers that should have gone by rail: the NUR goods-train go-slow is a slap in the face, indeed, for Mrs. Barbara Castle—and a potential weapon for the 11 transport, trade and allied-industry associations which last week met in London.
For—at a Summit called by the Road Haulage Association—they agreed to fight her licensing road-to-rail goods switch plans.
And, on Wednesday night, one of the Summit XI punched home the need to use the threat behind the go-slow— the Traders Road Transport Association. Here is one of the very reasons why we —as a team—are objecting to the quantity proposals, it said.
We fear the put-all-your-eggs-in-onebasket implications—the thought of being compelled to use the strike-prone railways.
Or words to that effect.
Freedom of choice After the Summit meeting, the 'association's' spokesman, RHA directorgeneral Mr. G. K. Newman, said: "Independently we may not be able to persuade Mrs. Castle or the Government to abandon or substantially modify the proposal. Now we will fight it together."
"It amounts to a denial of freedom of choice," he said. And the Summit XI maintain that the proposal, if effected, would put up consumer—and export—costs.
Now the team will meet again—to plan their next move.
All who accepted the Summit invitation attended—with one notable exception: the United Road Transport Union. "We will definitely be there," it had said the day before.
FREIGHTNOTE:As COMMERCIAL MOTOR
went to press came the go-slow news that Mrs. Castle must have feared and the Summit XI undoubtedly expected:—
LINER TRAINS HIT
Liner trains also hit by dispute. Midland Region announced six Freightliners cancelled. Freightliner service which runs ManchesterGlasgow and Glasgow-Manchester also cancelled.