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What Did Lord Leathers Mean?

24th December 1943
Page 28
Page 28, 24th December 1943 — What Did Lord Leathers Mean?
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

Keywords : Hayward, California

Diverse Views Taken by Major H. E. Crawfurd, President A.R.O., and Mr. A. L. Hayward, a Biriningham Haulier, on a Subject of Considerable Post-war Interest

By "Tantalus"

rfHE controversy between Mr. A. L. Hayward, a ,„Birmingham haulage contractor, and Major IL E. Crawfurd, president of A.R.01, is continued in the correspondence columns of " The Daily Telegraph."

It will be recalled that the points of variance relate to the interpretation of Lord Leathers' speech on post-war transport, and the implications and meanings so far as road haulage is concerned. Reference was made to the letters exchanged, in an article, entitled " Forging Fetters for Road Traosport," which appeared in the issue of "The Commercial Motor" dated December 3. As a matter of fact, it is a pity that the correspondence has not been conducted through the medium of the Trade Press, for all members of the industry to read and judge for themselves. For those who may not have seen the letters and, therefore, are not cognizant of the points at issue, this is the position.

Mr. Hayward complained because so eminent a figufe in the road-transport industry as Major Crawfurd had allowed himself to be swayed by one extract from the speech of the Minister, and had refrained from stressing the point that the whole trend of the debate was hostile to

road transport. That was tile gist of Mr. Hayward's criticism. With the adroitness of a lightweight boxer, rather than with the punches of a heavyweight, Major Crawford replied to this criticism, as was only to be expected, and his letter appeared in " The Daily Telegraph" on December 3. In effect the letter was an excellent example of what is known as a Parliamentary reply.

A.R.0.7s President Takes .

His Adversary to Task

Major Crawfurcl wrote as foliows:—" Mr. Hayward is wrong to suggest that I have been swayed by one extract from Lord Leathers' speech on post-war transport. I am too old a hand at this kind of thing to commit the error of answering a sentence out of its context. I read the whole of Lord Leathers' speech in Hansard and, taken as a whole, I repeat it shows a far better grasp of the meaning of transport, -and the national needs in respect of it, than almost any other official utterance we have had yet." Then Major Crawford vnt on to deal with the reference to competition made by Mr. Hayward, and said:—" Surely the phrase ' that competition . . if carried so far as to undermine the stability of services essential to the community and commercial interests its effect would prove damaging to the national interests ' is precisely what everybody is now agreed on. But perhaps Mr. Hayward is not aware of the close associations which now exist between road and rail ; it may be that he does not know of the work of the Central Road and Rail Conference, which, since 1938, has been working out ways and means by which road and rail can co-operate and compete. Knowledge of what is being done in this direction is necessary to a full understanding of Lord Leathers' statement."

The reply to the foregoing from Mr. Hayward appeared in the correspondence columns of " The Daily. Telegraph " on December 13. He did not hesitate to hit back, and this is what he said :--" I certainly did not suggest that Mr. H. E. Crawford had answered a Sentence out of its context and, although he has made an endeavour to support his views, I still maintain that my remarks portray the true perspective as seen by the industry at large. What I did insist was that Mr. Crawfurd was doing exactly what he now suggests that I am doing, ' reading into Lord Leathers' speech implications which it does not carry.' While I still maintain that, in his speech, Lord Leathers has oot thrown one crumb of comfort or satisfaction to the _road-transport industry, his remarks were framed in such general and non-committal terms as to ensnare those leaders of the road industry, who appear forever willing to collaborate with the Ministry and the railway interests in the forlorn hope of a beneficent attitude being adopted toward road interests. " I suggest that the rank and file of the industry object to the fact that the present leaders persist in presenting, in the light of something achieved, statements which, if not actually hostile to, promise absolutely nothing for the future of, the road industry.

I am aware of the close association between representatives of road and rail through the agency Of the Central Road and Rail Conference, an association which, I may say, is viewed with very grave suspicion by the road industry generally. They have vivid inemorieS of other .' fly-andspider ' meetings:" Then Mr. Hayward prOceeds to take Major Crawford back to the immediate pre-war era when he says :—" At that time the road .industry was well organized, licences had to be fought for in the traffic courts, .vehicles were always open to inspection, drivers' hours and conditions were strictly controlled, services became famous for their regularity. Surely Mr. Crawford does not consider that the conditions then operating were misatisfactory, but must admit the industry was virile, progressive and providing a service which had many advantages over the railways." The letter concludes with these words :—" Why not, after the war, place the road-transport industry hack on its immediate pre-war footing and allow it to continue its legitimate development?"

Thus are presented the two sides of the story by two members of the industry ; one an actual operator whorn possesses knowledge gained from personal experience, whilst the other is the balder of the highest honorary position which an association can' offer.

A Haulier with the Courage of His Convictions

In comparing the pointscovered by the protagonists, Mr. Hayward must be credited with having the courage to take up his pen and to question and criticize„.the views of an association. president. UPon this he is to be congratulated. Indeed, if more hauliers and other operators followed his example they would Make a valuable contribution towards the influencing of road-haulage policy.

The reference made by Major Crawford tothe Central Road and Rail Conference provides, if considered carefully, an important key 'which serves to open the door bf enlightenment regarding the significance Of the Conference in relation to the trend of events. It would appear that the Government policy has the approval and support of Major. Crawfurd's Association. If this deduction be correct it is somewhat startling.

Major Crawford, in defending the Conference, remarked that it has been working out ways and means by which road and rail can co-operate and compete. That being so, how is it poSsible for road haulage to compete on equal terms with the railways, havitig regard to the statement made by the Minister that, if necessary, the credit of the Government would be pledged to protect the position of the railways? No such promise has ever been breathed in respect of providing security for those engaged, in road transport. It would seem that there is .to be protection and financial security for the, railways, but repression and restriction for hauliers with, doubtless, many of the small -.operators appearing on the black list. Such a condition is distinctly unworthy of the Nation.

Summing up the opinions expressed from two diversely opposite sides of the industry, it is impossible not to be impreSsed by the strength of the case put forward by Mr. Hayward, as `against the arguments of his opponent. If it has been decided by the Road and Rail Conference and the representatives of the industry that there are too many operating units and if, consequently, the Government policy of repressive control is approved, then there is no alternative to frank admission of the fact. Such candour at least would command respect even if it, failed to. gain appeoval,

Tags

Organisations: Crawfurd's Association
Locations: Birmingham

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