AT THE HEART OF THE ROAD TRANSPORT INDUSTRY.

Call our Sales Team on 0208 912 2120

Transport Difficulties in By Fruit Distribution "Tantalus"

23rd July 1943, Page 28
23rd July 1943
Page 28
Page 28, 23rd July 1943 — Transport Difficulties in By Fruit Distribution "Tantalus"
Close
Noticed an error?
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.

Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

Lack of Essential Vitamins Contained in Fresh Fruit is Encouraging the Development of Scurvy, Whilst Some Vegetables are Prohibitive in Price. Could not Additional Transport be Arranged?

A N announcement published in the daily papers of July 14, 1943, ran: " The transport of plums by road or rail is to be restricted from July 19 to September 14." In the bald statement itself there is little to cause excitement or alarm. It is likely enough that the brief paragraph remained unnoticed by many readers and by the majority of others would be regarded as being of too little importance to merit a second reading.

There are, however, two aspects of this prohibition of transport order which have direct bearing upon the lives of the community. Quite recently-'-and for the first time in their lives—a number of people has become victims of attacks of scurvy. While this, perhaps, cannot be considered a serious complaint, nevertheless it decidedly is most unpleasant, as sufferers readily will admit. Those persons seeking relief from the symptoms have been informed by their medical advisers that a contributory cause of the trouble is lack of certain fruit juices. Other ailments also have been attributed to-the• need for those rich vitamins contained only in specified fruit juices and for which there is no really satisfactory substitute.

Whilst, on the one hand, the reports issued from time to time by the Ministry of Health provide the assurance that the health of the IsIatioia has been maintained at a high level throughout the war years, in spite of food restrictions; the same Ministry, at frequent intervals, has stressed the value of fruit juices. This relates particularly to children, and special provision has been made for adequate supplies of canned fruit juices to be available, .especially during the winter months. This precaution has kept down the number of cases of rickets.

In adopting such measures, the Government clearly acknowledges the essential need for fruit for reasons of health, and, quite rightly, the child-life of the Nation is being looked after in this respect. Unfortunately, however, other seetions of the community are not so well placed, and this not because during the war years—all the fruit crops have proved failures. Far from it; and in instances where one variety of crop has yielded poor results others have been plentiful. Yet, in spite of this, fruit has not been available in reasonable quantities for the ordinary consumer in the big cities and towns, and, even where purchasable, prices Italie been considerably above an economic level. Price control whenever and wherever applied has resulted in the products concerned disappearing from the market as though spirited away by some magical means.

Fruit Glut in Some Areas .

A -holiday-maker, recently returned from the Suffolk coast, stated that in the establishment in which he had stayed strawberries were served liberally every day. Contrast this with the London area, where, apart from a very few days, this fruit has been as scarce almost as diamonds. Reports similar to that first related have been received from the West Country also, and it may be expected that, in due season, various crops wiil be equally abundant there

and in other fruit-growing districts. ,

When inquiries are made 'as to the reason for this position, the answer received invariably is the same, namely, that shortage of vehicles and high transport -costs are responsible. Doubtless this reply contains a certain clement of truth. If the transport of plums, for example, is to be restricted during the period previously stated, obviously they cannot be available for the consumer. It is anticipated that this year's plum crop will be a good one. In such event, would it not be possible to permit the use of sufficient road-transport to ensure the equitable distribution c.f what many persons, including medicos, regard. as an essential item of food? Even after providing for the fruit

tat allocation for preserving purposes under the direction of the M.O.F., there may still be available supplies for the man in the street purchasable through the retail trade. Siirely, it is only a matter of simple organization—when the fruit is picked, packed and ready for despatch—to arrange for a convoy of road-vehicles to be available on the various sites for transport to specified centres. By this means speedy delivery would be effected 'whilst necessitating only minimum packing; added to this is the advantage that the trade could be informed in advance of the quantities to be received. Moreover, thus would be ensured a closer check on the equitable distribution of supplies, which might go far towards reducing black-market activities: Reports continue to be received of vehicles of controlled undertakings which are running only partly loaded, with the resultant waste of fuel and rubber. With the organization Of "fruit-convoys " light running would he obviated, for it should be an easy matter for return-loads to be arranged front the respective delivery centres, as the times of departure and arrival of vehicles would be known with -some degree of accuracy.

Transport Prohibition Raises Prices

The second aspect of the prohibition of transpoat order refers to the cost of living. Here, again, the consumer is told repeatedly that the high prices—particularly of uncontrolled commodities—are 'due to transport difficulties. This excuse cannot be completely justified, although, at the same time, it must not be disregarded. Readers must know of householders and allotment-holders who grow far more garden produce than they themselves require and arc at a loss to know what to .do with the surplus. Take lettuce, for example. During the pgst week the variety known as "

London" has sold at Is. 3d. Yet within a radius of 10 miles of Piccadilly growers are digging in surplus supplies as manure. Rather than pay such enhanced prices, many shoppers prefer to go without; and all the time, within a reasonable distance away, large supplies are going to waste. In one instance a private grower offered his surplus supplies to a local hospital, only to be met with a reluctant refusal, because the supplies of the hospital itself exceeded all requirements.

In this respect the person who lives in a villa or mansion is not affected, as he can provide for his own needs if he so desires. Those, however, who reside in flats or other buildings deprived of garden facilities suffer very seriously.

The problem is not an economic one, but is a matter of transport and distribution. Whether a change in the present policy and system could be effected it is difficult to determine, as, presumably, three Government Departments are concerned, viz., M.O.F. for, fruit, M.O.A. for market produce, and M.O.W.T. for transport. Therefore, to allocate the responsibility for the state of affairs as, described would necessitate the wisdom of. Solomon.

Is it a case of the M.O.W.T. refusing the necessary transport facilities or is the M.O.F. to blame? The general consensus of opinion will not be inclined to place the responsibility on the shoulders of the M.O.F., which, on all sides, has been credited with carrying out a difficult task with commendable success, whereas the M.O.W.T. constantly has been under the lash of the critics' whip. There is no intention whatever Of being unjust to the M.O.W.T. regarding this matter. If, however„the dearth of seasonal commodities in some areas and the super-abundance in others be due to the ban on or restriction of transport facilities. the M.O.W.T, cannot evade responsibility. Maybe, even now, it is not too late to retrieve the' position. In that event a useful contribution might be made towards the health of the Nation, as well as definite aid in the matter of the cost of living.

Tags

Organisations: Ministry of Health
Locations: London

comments powered by Disqus