Hauliers Not Jubilant
Page 27
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
--Mr. Winterbottom
" WE in road haulage are in no victorious or jubilant mood. Political measures cannot in themselves solve anything and in the last resort everything depends on efficiency and hard work," said Mr. B. Winterbottom, chairman of the Road Haulage Association, at the annual dinner of the North Western (Western) Area in Liverpool, last week.
"The competition which is coming makes it imperative that efficiency must be the aim of all in the industry, but with the best will in the world, one cannot reduce rates when taxes and wages continue to increase," Mr. Winterbottom continued.
"I have no fear that traffic will not be moved. I think in due course the service offered to trade and industry will be better. What I am afraid of, at
least in the early years, is too many vehicles for the traffic available and I would say to the traders and industry— support the independent haulier. Ile is the buffer between State transport and the trader who operates his own vehicles.
Cancel him out and there would be an immediate clash, and the State would ultimately use its powers to restrict the operation of C licence vehicles."
"Tremendous Road Fleet" It was often overlooked that the railways had built up a tremendous road transport fleet. It was hoped that they would use their road vehicles to handle only rail-borne traffic, and would not become road transport contractors.
On the Government's proposed scheme of road reconstruction, Mr. Winterbottom described the expenditure of £.50m. in three years as a mere "bite at a cherry."
In our opinion, it is necessary to embark on a nation-wide scheme of improvement and reconstruction, spending an additional sum of at least £50m. per annum for. the next seven or eight years. If the Government think there is no other way, why not finance the scheme by Government loan? Over eight yearg, £50m. would give a total cost of £400m, and interest on such a loan at 4 per cent., which would amount to only £16rn, a year, could be paid out of the Road Fund."
Mr. R. Morton Mitchell, chief executive officer, stressed the importance of hauliers obtaining adequate advice on the purchase of transport units.
Mr. W. McCready presided.