Mr. Sewill Criticizes Morrison Pcilicy
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VIEWS recently put forward by Mr. Herbert Morrison were criticized by Mr. Roger Sewill at a meeting of A.R.O. members held at Newcastle on May 12.
On more than one occasion, said Mr. Sewill, Mr. Morrison has spoken in favour of the nationalization of
• industry after the war, with particular emphasis upon transport. It is evident that be would hold this opinion after the leading part he played in the formation of the L,P.T.B. In theory, common financial control of all forms of transport may appear to ensure their complete co-ordination. This woulg not be the case in practice.
State control of the railways in other countries has invariably led to a loss in efficiency. The experience of the Northern Ireland Transport Board has been by no means happy. Nor is credit for the outstanding war-time achievements. of our railways in any way due to the control exercised by the M.0,W.T. It is due solely to the efforts of the management and workers. , From personal experience, I know that Government control does not increase the efficiency of the roadhaulage industry. No improvement in operation resulted from the taking over of the Meat Pool, nor from the setting .up of the Chartered Fleet.
The new scheme is not designed to increase efficiency, but to restrict the use of road transport. This it will do because of the cumbersome nature of tife control, if for no other reason. It can never be "taken as a model for postwar purposes.
between the ttvo wars there were certain features, notably the uncontrolled competition on rates, which few people would wish restored. On the other hand, nobody could deny the efficiency of all forms of transport during that period.
Competition from lqpg-distance road services brought about immense improvements in railway operation. Such refinements as the insulated van for meat and other perishable goods were introduced. Goods services, both by road and rail, were greatly speeded up. and reliability of delivery was' assured.
Under State control, all competition would be removed, and the trader denied the choice of service. Efficiency would be impaired, just when, if the country is to recover its prosperity. transpart above all services must be kept at the highest pitch.
The road-haulage industry is often criticized because of the large number of small operating units. 'Traders as a whole, however, appreciate the services rendered and the close personal attention paid to their requirements.
BUB for the war, uneconomic cutthroat competition between road and rail would have been largely eliminated. It is hoped that the necessary legislation to this end will be obtaingd.
It should not be thought, however, that these two industries are concerned only with their own interests. The public forms of transport are servants of the community. They ask no more than a reasonable return on capital, sufficient to maintain the spirit of enterprise and initiative without which any organization is certain to fail.,