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IN YOUR OPINION

17th July 1964, Page 73
17th July 1964
Page 73
Page 74
Page 73, 17th July 1964 — IN YOUR OPINION
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

The Blame for Low Rates

I HAVE read the letters replying to that of Wg. Cdr. I Humphreys (The Commercial Motor, June 12) with much interest, but with a growing feeling of bewilderment at the trend they are taking. Mr. Trott's comments in your July 3 issue were, so far as I am concerned, the last straw.

He states that drivers' low wages are caused by the low rates enforced by "big business "—on the same page was a letter from a transport director commenting bitterly on rate-cutting by competitors. Mr. Trott also asserts that we have the lowest standard of living of any English-speaking country—yet he goes on to say that we "enjoy it" and exhorts us not to "chuck it away ".

In view of the horror expressed by hauliers against any form of control in the form of nationalization, I fail to see how they can complain about rate-cutting. The haulier

is, after all, competing in the open market and competition is supposed to be healthy for the industry. Perhaps rates should only have an upward trend to suit the haulier and raise Mr. Trott's cost of living to new dizzy heights. We read also that a Socialist council pays 14s. 6d. an hour for a 6-ton tipper with driver (who else would dare to?). Do the ratepayers complain? Does Mr. Trott pay the highest price for any article without comparison? We note, too, that a haulier carts stone dust 25 miles for 10s. 6d. a ton. Why? I say because it pays him to do so!

The blame for low rates lies with the people who accept them, not the people who pay them. This is competition with all its inherent faults. There are a. good many hauliers who would welcome a Government take-over with open arms.

A strong hauliers' organization with a rate-fixing panel and the strength to withhold transport capacity from uneconomic rate payers is their only hope. But perhaps this smells too strongly of the principles of trade unions for such a " conservative " assembly.

Harley, Surrey. T. G. JOHNSON.

Fitting Rear Brake Shoes

CONCERNING the hint in The Commercial Motor,

June 26, on fitting rear brake shoes in the Leyland Comet, I find a much 'simpler solution is the use of the spring available from Albion agents specifically made for this purpose. This proves less trouble as it is a permanent fixture. These springs cost only a few pence and certainly solve the problem of fitting the shoe.

Forth, Lanark. PETER TENNANT,

Haulage Contractor.

Speedometer Cables

INCE January this year we have purchased four vehicles, three in the £2,000 class and one costing £3,700. We would like to record our experiences with the speedometer cables on the vehicles, bearing in mind that the vehicles are of three different makes_ It is as follows—

An 8-ton platform (cost new £2,000)—cable broke at 684 miles; two wrong cables supplied; four months later correct cable supplied.

An 8-ton tipper (cost new, L1,900)—cabIe broken when vehicle was being pre-delivery checked at the distributors; replaced immediately.

A 14-ton platform (cost new, £,700)—cable broke at 499 miles on the way from works; new cable received two weeks later; this broke eight weeks later and we have been without a cable for the last nine weeks.

An 8-ton tipper (cost new, i2,100)—cable broke on first tip at 648 miles; cable received and replaced; dock faulty.

Speedometers have been on vehicles long enough now for the manufacturers to produce satisfactory cables. We would hate to be Continental haulage contractors running British vehicles, as if the manufacturers cannot supply spare parts for the home market, then Heaven help the Continental market,

Generous Gesture

ON Monday, June 29, one of our drivers, A. Stewart

(Home Counties Transport Ltd., Ilford) was journeying from St. Ives, Cornwall, to Weyhill, Hants, en route for London. During the day one of his daughters was taken seriously ill and rushed to hospital. Driver Stewart was eventually contacted at Weyhill Transport Café, near Andover, around 10 p.m.

The proprietor of the café, Lieut. Cdr. J. Stevens (R.N. retired) immediately put his car at driver Stewart 's dis. posal and rushed him to the Black Horse Cafe, near Exeter

(which is 100 miles), where another car was waiting to take him to St. Ives, Cornwall (this is a further 110 miles). This second car had been put at his disposal by the proprietor of Stevens Tours, of St. Ives.

As one of driver Stewart's workmates and on behalf of the rest of my colleagues at Home Counties Transport Ltd., I would like to thank Lieut. Cdr. Stevens and Mr. Stevens, of St. Ives, for their -part in getting driver Stewart home again as quickly as possible.

I am given to understand that they will hear of no offer of reimbursement from driver Stewart It is good to know that the transport driver has plenty of friends at times like this—a real emergency.

East Looe, Cornwall. S. A. ELuoTT.


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