" Renationalization Will Hit Every Haulier"
Page 44
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FROM A. E. SHERLOCK-MESHER • TORQUAY, Tuesday.
MR. R. N. INGRAM, national chairman of the Road Haulage Association, in an opening statement to delegates to the Association's annual conference here today, warned hauliers, and particularly the smaller operators, against the belief that the Socialist threat to renationalize long-distance transport would not affect them.
"No plan of nationalization could be effective Without disturbing the businesses of practically all road hauliers in the country," he said. "The Socialist threat of nationalization, having been made, will stand to be carried out if the Socialist party. is returned to power."
He also warned trade and industry against the danger of sitting back complacently while independent long-distance haulage was once more liquidated. "This is what some sections did on the last occasion," he added.
After. Mr. Ingram's address and a discussion (see pages 440-442), the conference passed a resolution reaffirming the determination of hauliers "to use all means of preserving the present structure of the independent road haulage industry."
"The apparent confusion of thought on the part of the Socialists in their approach to possible restrictions on the C-licence holder is a mere expedient designed to obviate the more general and intense opposition which their transport policy would attract were it stated more specifically, particularly at the time of a General Election," Mr. Ingram declared.
Clear Indication "The statements made on behalf of the Socialist party, and even on behalf of nationalized transport, indicate quite clearly that unless C-licence holders are restricted, nationalization of road haulage would not of itself be sufficient to bolstef up the State monopoly.
"If trade and industry will face the facts squarely, they must surely realize that, unless they engage in active opposition to Socialist policy at the proper time, then not only do they subscribe to the risk of their being denied the competitive services of independent operators but with equal certainty they are advancing the day when their own transport facilities will inevitably be curtailed."
B.R.S. Not Major Danger Although British Road Services had the largest fleet of vehicles in the country, they were not the haulier's most dangerous competitor. They had reacted to the stimulus of competition and now formed an effective section of the road haulage industry. The industry had settled down to a method of working, nationally and locally, both in competition and in collaboration with B.R.S., which gave trade and industry the best choice of transport.
Mr. Ingram appealed for funds for the Association's advertising and publicity campaign. It would mainly inform the public and trade and industry of the advantages of using free-enterprise road haulage, and would be aimed at persuad. i310 ing public opinion against the nationalization of haulage.
If each member supported the campaign, it could be launched on a scale that would keep the Socialists out of power, or, if they did take office, they would not have the courage to renationalize haulage.
Mr. Ingram told me that £35,500, including £20,000 from headquarters funds, had so far been subscribed towards the publicity campaign. He was unable to give the, number of subscribem but it was hoped that the conference, and particularly the presence of the Minister of Transport, would awaken hauliers to the danger facing them.
When I asked him when the campaign would open he said the date depended on the General Election. He would prefer a short, intensive campaign.
HOURS SUMMONSES AGAINST McVEIGH WITHDRAWN
QUMM ONSES against McVeigh TransL-) port, Ltd., Hull, alleging that they had allowed a man to drive too long without proper rest, were withdrawn at Hull, last week, after the driver had been found guilty of obtaining money by false pretences.
The magistrates were told that Ministry of Transport inspectors saw a McVeigh vehicle near Hull and later found that the driver claimed to have been in Manchester at the time. He had been given subsistence allowance by his employers for a night out when he stayed at home.
The driver was fined a total of £8 for fraud, not keeping proper records and not having enough rest. He was ordered to pay £2 2s. costs. The company were given an absolute discharge when they admitted failing to cause current records to be kept.
PORTUGAL ORDERS BRITISH A CONTRACT for 14 Super Hippo sixI-1 wheeled dumpers has been placed with Leyland Motors, Ltd., by Hydro Electrica De Cavado, Portugal.
The dumpers are based on 15-ft. 6-in.wheelbase chassis with 0.680 oil engines, five-speed main gearboxes and underdrive auxiliary gearboxes, Each vehicle has a 15-18-ton towing jaw.