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OPINIONS and

21st December 1945
Page 41
Page 41, 21st December 1945 — OPINIONS and
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

UERIES

ALL MUST FIGHT AS ONE AGAINST NATIONALIZATION,

I WAS very interested to read the article by Mr. E. B. 1 Howes, in your issue dated December 7, appealing for a fighting fund.

With relation to his reniarks on nationalization, I am of the opinion that he has touched on a very vital spot when he states that nationalization will 'increase the cost of production to such an extent that it will ruin all hope of being able to compete in the world's markets with our exports. In view of the fact that we have to importa large quantity of our foodstuffs and other essential commodities, 11 am therefore at a loss to see how our country can survive for any length of time without exporting.

With regard to his remarks about fighting nationalization, it appears to me that the N.C.R.T.A. is proposing to work on very similar lines to the R.H.A., and for that reason I would like to suggest to Mr. Howes that his associations would get a far better chance of assisting the road haulage industry in their fight for freedom if they offered their co-operation to the R.H.A., to assist it in the big fight ahead. The reason I suggest this is because I feel sure that our only chance to win this big battle is to get the whole industry fighting with. one accord.

Our biggest danger, as I see it, lies in the possibility of some of the "Big Noises" in the transport industry offering to co-operate with the Government with the hope that they will get privileged position, and possibly with the long-term thought that when nationalization of transport has proved a failure they will be in a position to get control of it for themselves.

Melksham. A. G. Smits, M.I.R.T.E,

[We appreciate the suggestion made by Mr. Spiers with regard to the N.C.R.T.A., the H.M.F., and the R.H.A. working together. As a matter of fact, much on these lines is already being' achievedand by the time this issue appears, all these parties may be allies in the fight against nationalization, it is realized that, whatever small differences there may be, unity in this great object is essential. So far as the "Big Noises" are concerned, we do not think that you have much to fear in this respect. Practically alt of them are throwing in their weight on the side of freedom.—En.]

MORE FORCES NEEDED FOR THE FIGHT

A. attending the R.H.A. rally at Kingsway Hall . and the H M.F. meeting at the Caxton Hall, I formed the opinion that in Mr. Howes we have a really stalwart champion of freedom. But Mr. Howes atone is not enough; and if the rest of the Labour. M.P.s are anything like their Mr. Porter, I am afraid that 60,000 hauliers are not going to be enough.

The road transport industry, employers and employees alike, is made up of virile, independent men—men imbued with that fighting, pioneering spirit that made the British Empire what it is to-day, and, despite controls, taxes, restrictions and frustrations, they have produced the most efficient transport system that this country has ever known.

Now all this is to go into the melting pot to make "Socialist soup," and, instead of bringing Utopia" to our doorsteps, thousands will be faced with penury, and worse. Careers will be blasted in thousands, and thousands more " innocents " will be sacrificed to the "god of socialism" if this mad scheme to nationalize our industry goes through

Many' hauliers to-day are living in a fool's paradise. They are hoping and praying that a miracle will happen which will prevent legislation being introduced to nationalize the industry before the next General Election is due. This "wait and see" policy is nothing less than suicidal. Every possible means must be utilized immediately to defeat the enemy in our midst. It is of no use building a "Maginot Line "—the order of the day is "attack," because it is war, and victory wilt go to the side with the biggest army and the most and best weapons.

As I said at the beginning, 60,000 hauliers are not enough, but how can we make the army bigger? Here is one suggestion: The Labour Party frequently states that one of the main reasons why it recommends the nationalization of certain industries is because it wilt benefit the workers in that industry. In my opinion, the 60,000 objectors to nationalization can easily be made into an army 600,000 strong, and probably more, by roping in the rank and file. The drivers, particularly, are very independently minded men—in most cases they chose their job deliberately so that they could exercise that independence and initiative, which could not find expression in other spheres, such as factories.

Figures count with Governments, and I earnestly believe that if the hauliers of this country can prove that employers and employees alike are against nationalization, it will make this Government think twice before it rushes in "where angels fear to tread! "

To achieve this happy result, my plan is that the R.H.A. and H.M F. immediately circularize all their members with thousands of pamphlets for distribution amongst their employees, giving the pros and cons, of nationalization. Then there should be a postal ballot of all in the industry " for " and " against " nationalization.

The trade unions frequently use the postal-ballot method with satisfactory results, and .1 believe the evidence we could produce as a result of such a ballot would turn the scales in our favour.

London: S.W.16 A. G. HOWAR1X

AN ANCESTOR OF THE ATOMIC VEHICLE MOST of us in the industry have, during the past few . "idays, been rather disturbed at the possibility of atomic energy being used for motor engines.

I am one who has spent almost half a century in motor engineering, and in my early years I so well remember a well-known Midland motorcar designer and manufacturer being bitten with much the same idea.

He had colossal wealth and he gathered around him a staff of high-grade technicians and scientists. At the same time, he took over the lease of an old disused coal mine and commenced operations.

To my surprise, one day after this company had descended below, a lorry load of old battleship armour plate arrived, and this was shot down the mine. Very soon it was fashioned into shape by rolling and hammering into cylinder form. At one end was an ordinary cycle-tyre valve and at the otherthe usual petrol-tank filler. Into this tank was put a very, careful selection of good potatoes, free from dirt. I believe that these scientists carefully cleaned and peeled these before use.

The results obtained were marvellous, but it had one great fault. Into this cylinder a small distillery plant was fitted, and the Excise people got wind of it, for the gases given off would cause inebriation at 50 yards.

Ewell.. FR Vs.:K. GARDNER:

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Organisations: army, Labour Party
Locations: London

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