Midlands Industry Backs thuliers
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THIS week, Mr. C. E. Jordan. chair". man of the West Midlands Area of the Traders' Road Transport AssociaFort and chairman of the transport section of the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, was to meet officials of the Road Haulage Association to discuss ways of assisting hauliers in the struggle for existence.
Manufacturers are distressed at the deterioration of road and rail transport services since nationalization. Goods have been arriving late at the docks, and frequently there have been delays of up to six weeks in fulfilling export orders because of missed shipments.
Mr. Jordan said last week: "It would be a tragedy for the Midland manufacturers if small firms were forced off the roads. Road services are deteriorating. and rail services are even worse. " Instead of transport serving trade, it has got to the stage now when trade is serving transport. Manufacturers are becoming increasingly reluctant to trust export orders by rail," Mr. W. T. Downes, chairman of the Birmingham branch of the Institute of Exports and etoort manager. of the County. Chemical • Co.. Ltd., Birmingham, verified that export orders had been lost by delay in delivery at the docks.
"Road transport under nationalization." he said. "is not nearly as efficient as it was under private enterprise and the railways cannot be relied on. It would be a tragic blow to 'industry if the remaining private hauliers were to lose their permits. They are the only people on whom manufacturers can really rely."