FIERCEST FIGHT PLEDGE IF NFO PLANS UNFAIR
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AWARNING that the Government could face "the fiercest anti-nationalization campaign that has yet been seen" over the NFO proposals was issued by Mr. Peter Walker, Conservative shadow Transport Minister, on Wednesday.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the new James Hemphill Ltd. depot in Glasgow (page 26), he referred to the series of increased costs faced by the road haulage industry due to the actions of Parliament, including higher petrol duty, higher licence fees, the abolished investment allowances and SET. Added to these, he said, there had been for more than 18 months the appalling uncertainty regarding the NFO. He said the original concept was remarkable because British Railways did not want it, neither did the NUR, the management of the Transport Holding Co., or road hauliers. And he was quite certain that the drivers' union representatives did not want it. He issued the challenge: "If, with all of this hostility the Government still persists, we will carefully examine the legislation to make certain that the NFO will not be given unfair advantages over the road hauliers with whom it competes. "I am suspicious that the objective is to allow the NFO first to undercut the private haulier and, having ruined his business, to purchase what remains at a knock-down price. If, when introduced to Parliament, the legislation indicates that this is the intention, I can assure the Government that the opposition will wage the fiercest antinationalization campaign that has yet been seen. "For, if there is one industry that benefits from the individual initiative, diligence and enterprise of the proprietors it is the road haulage industry. I am determined to see that this industry, that has advanced so much and has given such service to our economy, is not ruined by political doctrines."