S.J.C. Proving its Worth
Page 17
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QOME people have raised questions
as to the value of the work being carried out by the Standing Joint Committee. No doubt they and others will be interested in a résumé of the matters dealt with at two meetings which took place early this month.
The first reports of the 10 subcommittees set up in. connection with the scheme for the reorganization of the , S. J.C. were considered. It was also decided to add one sub-committee on legislation, and consideration was given to setting up another to deal with current highway problems.
An interesting point is that the M. of W.T. was asked to consult the Vehicle Supply and Maintenance Committee in respect of such questions as the specification of new vehicles or the standardization of design, and has agreed to this, whilst in respect of the requisitioning of vehicles, the M. of W.T. has been requested to see that whenever this becomes necessary everything possible should be done to avoid prejudicing services in operation—in other words, vehicles laid up, although in good order, should be taken first.
The question of conditions of carriage are under the consideration of the Liability and Insurance Committee, and existing standard conditions are being tabulated and compared. It is hoped, in due course, to issue a standard set for general adoption, provision being made for specialized sections of the industry. At present there are really three sets, those formulated by the Express Carriers, the Road and Rail Conference, and the Government in connection with its Haulage Scheme.
The Alternative Fuels Committee has set up a Producer Gas Subcommittee. This really consists of professional ,.carriers who are on the Ministry Committee, comprising Messrs. , J. B. Osier, W. F. French, R. H. Farmer, D. Richardson, I. Barry and Major W. Taylor.
It was agreed that, through the medium of the Road and Rail Central Conference, the railways should be told that the Post-War Planning Committee would be ready to establish contact with them when they were iji a position to discuss post-war problems of mutual interest e as an example cartage boundaries may be /mentioned.
One matter discussed concerns the growth of an undesirable practice in respect of haulage charges. A trader may make arrangements with a haulier for carriage at an agreed price, and the account be paid. Later it transpires that the trader is relying on his right of recovery from a Government Department, and the rate may be disputed, in which case the trader endeavours to effect recovery 'of the difference from the carrier. Sometimes very large gums are demanded in this way.
The hope is expressed that more negotiations should be ., centralized through the S.J.C., to avoid such incidents as occurred recently in the rates arranged for sand and ballast in different areas.
A comprehensive memorandum detailing steps which should be taken to preserve efficiency in the haulage industry was agreed and is being submitted to the M. of W.T„ with a request that it should receive early discussion by the Road Haulage Consultative Committee.
The terms of the indemnity offered by the Government in connection with the carriage of explosives were not considered to be satisfactory.