"Carry On, Road Transport" THE road transport industry is the
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I only one that has so far put up a real fighting front against the Government in the matter of nationalization. Such was the prevailing sentiment at the formalities preceding the opening of the "Carry On, Road Transport "
Exhibition, in London, ori Monday. Coincident with the opening was a showing of the film "A Matter of Opinion," and immediately following this, a surprise speech was made by Lord Woolton.
" Where," he said, "is the benefit of nationalization?" It would be a serious delay to economic recovery.
The film itself, as shown at the London Exhibition Centre, New Coventry Street, W.I, on this occasion, was a great improvement on that shown at the Margate Conference. The garbled transport cafe dialogue had been cut out, and the story of the " Shuna landing,' as described in "The Commercial Motor" dated September 6, had been added. Thus modified, the film ranked as an effective documentary.
Display is the medium employed for the exhibition. in a suitable setting, the visitor is influenced by successive posters and illustrations. First, there is the two-armed signpost to "Chaos" and State monopoly of transport on the one hand, and "Prosperity" and free choice on the other. Then the various forms of transport and the function of the small operators are illustrated. Next, the various evils that might well follow in the wake of nationalization are portrayed, and finally, existing and past examples of State control, including the Northern Ireland Transport Board and the Nazi national transport.
The anti-nationalization petition is very much a part of the proceedings. The power of feminine glamour is being brought to bear in this respect! Women, it seems, are rapidly becoming conscious of their influence in this matter.
NO STOPPING JUGGERNAUT, SAYS MR. STRAUSS
" I CAN give you a categorical assur
ance that the Government have not been moved, and are not likely to be moved, one inch from their declared intention to nationalize the transport services as soon as possible."
This statement was made by Mr. G. R. Strauss, M.P., Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport, speaking at a conference of the Main Line Railways Canteens Associations in London last week. The anti-nationalization campaign, partly initiated by railway and road-transport interests, he said, was intended to deter or delay the Covernment's issuing proposals for nationalizing transport.
Nationalization could not cure all transport evils, as it was merely a change of ownership, Mr. Strauss continued; but it was essential as a first step to give the country an efficient transport system.