It's Your Turn Now!
Page 44
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says E. H. B. Palmer, 0.B.E., F.R.S.A. A S the Election approaches, there is uncertainty in the air. The barometer is unsteady, but next Thursday we shall have a chance to tap it.
A feeling exists that the restricted radius on the public carrier will prove to be nothing but a nightmare and that the ancillary user will be left free. This comfortable impression is based on things which are of little significance in themselves, but may be straws in the wind. For example, there is a reluctance on the part of those who have to consider the issue of permits to come to grips with borderline cases.
Many hauliers are being assured that whereas the grant of an original permit is not now possible, claims to ordinary permits will have sympathetic consideration. The difference in value between the two is not stressed lest it removes the gilt from the gingerbread. Nevertheless, hauliers are pressed to accept the offer as if it were permanently advantageous.
Can we ascribe these approaches nth to official generosity, or may we interpret them as intelligent anticipation of what may well come to pass?
"Suppose the political balance remains the same after the Election," the reader may ask. "What then?"
This is an idle question, because the outcome of the Election rests with him. In the coming struggle for power there are two main factions. There is a third that is not quite so formidable; also, with all respect to them, the odds and ends. One of the principal parties is intent on pursuing nationalization, a policy which will have bitter results for all those who have built their independence brick by brick, and believe in private enterprise and initiative. The other main party has joyfully declared its intention to cut the throat of nationalization from ear to ear, to quote Mr. Brendan Bracken. The third party is also a5.tainst State control and, by simple arithmetic, this looks like giving us odds against It.
Let us reduce this question to the level of the road haulage industry. No one can deny that the haulier has been betrayed. His birthright of unrestricted radius has been filched in the most barefaced manner No one will dare to suggest that he likes it this way and no one will question his right to fight back.
What can we do to protect ourselves? In any constituency we form a substantial proportion of the plebiscite on whose favour every candidate, irrespective of party, must rely. Each one of us must therefore vote for the man who publicly expresses disapproval of Part 3 of the Transport Act and will do all that is possible to dis-establish the British Transport Commission If more than one candidate does this, we must vote for the one who has the best chance of winning. This is no political directive, but simple advice to those who wish to retain their freedom.