Christmas: humbu
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THE RUSH up to Christmas is over for hauliers, and for a few days at least harassed traffic men and transport managers will be able to feed their' duodenals with wholesome festive fare. But Christmas will soon be over. Or will it? Almost to a man, Britain has come to a halt from today until January 2.
The holiday is too long and we cannot afford it. How can we justify paying ourselves a full week's money without earning it? Is this not part of our troubles?
We must earn before we can spend. Plastic money and credit "facilities" are very costly commodities.
Transport operators Will suffer more than most. It is unlikely they will be called upon to move much before January 7, and that is effectively two weeks' loss of earnings but standing charges won't take a holiday.
We have given ourselves too many breaks over the year, and by any standards what is effectively ten days off in December and January must be considered a luxury. It is one not enjoyed by our industrial competitors and difficult to reconcile with our present financial state.
Every 32-tanner standing idle in the garage is costing £340 a week. Over the Christmas and New Year period that means a loss of nearly £700 per vehicle — seasons greetings!