Mileage Doubled Under Company Control S INCE Government control of road
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transport ended a year ago, the mileage covered by vehicles of Transport Services, Ltd., has been doubled.
This statement was made by Mr. ft, C. Drayton, M.Inst.T., chairman of the company, at the annual general meeting. He was comparing present operations with those of the Road Haulage Organization after the end of the war. A comparison with war years would, he said, be unfair.
In a reasoned condemnation of nationalization, Mr. Drayton pointed out that, including the cost of transport of raw materials, transport charges accounted for at least 30 per cent. af the prime cost of a finished item of machinery. Any addition to transport charges would reduce Britain's capacity to sell finished products overseas.
Referring to the Government's allegation that the road haulage industry was unstable, Mr. Drayton pointed out that the company's profits had grown consistently since it was formed in 1936. Earning power per vehicle had been increased by sheer efficiency gained from experience.
One of the effects of the five-day week in industry, he said, was to confine the work of a number of long-distance hauliers to 41 days a week. If traffic demands remained constant, there would be a greater need for road transport vehicles. Because of the five-day week and other factors, five vehicles were now required to do the work done by four similar vehicles before the war.
Looking to the future. Mr. Drayton said that a number of the Transport Services companies would not he nationalized, and be thought that these local haulage concerns would be maintained by the company. Without stating the considered policy of the board, he thought that, with some reorganization. Transport Services, Ltd., would continue to function after nationalization had been completed.