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The Lay Press and Road Transport T1VERYONE engaged in the

16th August 1932, Page 35
16th August 1932
Page 35
Page 36
Page 35, 16th August 1932 — The Lay Press and Road Transport T1VERYONE engaged in the
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

road-transport I industry is fully aware of its vital hearing on our national life, but comparatively few people realize the interest that " the man in the street" takes in the subject.

We, who are watching, recording and commenting upon the changing scenes of. a great industry, peruse, during the course of a year, several thousands of letters that appear in newspapers published all over the British Isles, and thus gain a fair impression of the considerable public interest in road transport. Most of the correspondence refers to bus operation, thus more directly affecting the comfort and convenience of the community.

Several provincial newspapers have invited their readers to submit constructive criticisms of local transport systems, and in this way useful views have been collected that are of benefit alike to the public and to officials of the undertakings concerned. Certain sections of the Press are so prone to over-rate the sensational news value of road-transport activities, particularly in connection with accidents, that it is refreshing to know that at least some lay journals take a sane view of the subject.

More Efficient Bodywork Required.

rpHERE is still ample scope for the exercise L. of ingenuity in the design and construction of commercial-motor bodies, especially in the provision of-bodywork to suit the needs of the individual trader. The slow progress which is made in this matter appears to be due, as much as anything, to the user himself. Only too frequently does he regard the body of his van or lorry as a more or less necessary evil, and is content to accept whatever is offered, provided only that it be cheap. That attitude is a definite discouragement to coachbuilders, who would otherwise exert themselves to find out what would best serve the tradesman's particular requirements.

What is needed is a little co-operation between the two parties concerned—the tradesman and the coachbuilder. If the tradesman will, in the first place, realize that it is positively to his interest to have a body built to meet his needs, even if he has to pay a little more for it, and if he will then take the trouble to interest the coachbuilder in the work he has for the vehicle, telling him just what he wishes to carry, how he wants to carry it, and how he would like to be able to load and unload it, it is certain that the result would be a vehicle which, by its handiness and the saving of time it would effect, would amply repay the trouble involved. let alone the extra pound or two expended.

Hauliers' Accounts Disputed.

OUR attention has been drawn to a number of instances in which accounts sent in by hauliers for work carried out by them have been cut down to the extent of 10 per cent. or more below the figure at which it was agreed that such work should be executed.

The rates for haulage to-day are already so low that such a procedure, apart from its illegality, can easily mean all the difference between a small profit and a considerable loss, particularly where fairly large amounts are involved.

Much of the trouble is probably due to the fact that, in many cases, a figure is agreed without being put into writing, thus leaving a door open for such sharp practice by those for whom the loads have been carried.

It is important that full and clearly written instructions should always be obtained by the haulier, and the names of those who make a practice of such cutting should be black-listed for circulation amongst other haulage interests in their districts.

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