Wolf Puts on Sheep's Clothing
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ANEW technique in opposing the renewal of ncences is being developed by the Road Haulage Executive. It Is claiming to take the part of the existing short-distance haulier and is objecting to the renewal of licences of former long-distance operators on the ground that unfair competition in the 25-mile radius would be created, An example of this approach was given when the R.H.E., at a sitting of the Northern Licensing Authority at Carlisle, objected to the renewal of B licences for eight vehicles owned by Mr. T. E. Swainson, of Penrith. The Authority, Mr. S. W. Nelson, described as " monstrous " the R.H.E.'s contention that the application should be refused as the applicant's long-distance permit was being revoked in February.
It was stated that Mr. Swainson had 11 vehicles and 60 per cent. of his business was outside the 25-mile radius. The R.H.E. said that after Mr. Swainson's long-distance permit was revoked, be would have to put the whole of his fleet into the 25-mile radius.
Mr. P. Kershaw, representing the R.H.E., said that by granting the application the Licensing Authority would be conniving at,. inviting and pushing
a30 the operator and his whole fleet into the 25-mile radius. It would create an intolerable situation and be unfair to men who had been in short-distance haulage for years. It would create uneconomic conditions and cause ratecut tin g.
Mr. Nelson replied that it was not the Licensing Authority, but the R.H.E. which was contributing to the . existing situation. It was creating an excess of vehicles by taking over work which had been done by these vehicles. If it wanted to take men's long-distance business, it should take the vehicles as wen.
Mr. Kershaw suggested that shortterm licences should be granted until the permits expired next February. Mr. Nelson said he could not do that. If the licence were refused, the applicant would have no vehicles to sell to the R.H.E. when his permit expired and he would be deprived of a right.
Announcing that Mr. Swainson would be granted a two-year licence, Mr. Nelson said it would be monstrous to take away the applicant's vehicles without showing whether there was anyone else to carry on apart from depriving the applicant oi. certain rights and privileges.