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18th September 1964, Page 65

18th September 1964

Page 65

Page 65, 18th September 1964 — Your Vote

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ONE must, in all fairness, try to assess the Labour Party's election manifesto. So far as road transport is concerned, the Socialist intentions are the only ones that matter when polling begins on October 15 because nobody else threatens to put the clock back 17 years. It is only the Socialists who, like the bird of fable, fly backwards in order to see where they have been—little caring where they are going.

First of, all they offer a " national transport plan ". What sort of plan is not clear. Either it is not clear in their own minds, or it is clear and they have not the nerve to proclaim it. Transport people should, nonetheless, understand that a vote for Labour is a carte blanche; all they promise is a plan— the details will be filled in later, and could be very unpleasant.

Next the Socialists offer" all necessary powers " for B.R.S. to extend its fleet and "develop a first-rate national freight service ". Indeed a Slap in the face for 'B.R.S. which apparebtly does not (in the Socialist view) do a first-rate job now. Many transport people would differ. Many B.R.S. people query the wisdom of once again diving into unlimited acquisitions. Mere size of possession is the worst possible guide to efficiency and profitability. B.R.S. do very nicely now; arbitrarily enlarged, they may not.

And even the Socialists admit to the desirability of first hearing what the Geddes Committee has to say before launching into licensing reform. This is nothing that will not happen under a Con§ervative administration, so a Socialist vote earns nothing there.

At the moment, transport knows where it is. Under Socialism it would be like the man who waited for fortune—never sure of a dinner.

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