• News reaches me from the International Road Transport Union
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(IRU) about a major turn-about in Japan. After 115 years of history and existence, Japanese National Railways has been finally privatised.
The JNR liquidation company intends to raise US$100 billion from the sale of 3,500 hectares of unused land and from the sale of shares in the new companies; the remaining US$100 billion will be repaid by the tax payer.
The liabilities may also be said to include 61,000 surplus employees; in the land of life employment there could be no question of sacking them. Golden handshakes have encouraged 31,000 to take early retirement; 7,600 have been, or will be, re-employed by various ministries, particularly the Defense Agency.
Doesn't it warm your hearts to see the wise Orient follow in the footsteps of the infallible West? • A strong contender for top honours in the Hawk's 1988 tacky calendar contest is this offering from Belaco Duron, the brake lining manufacturer. This office's Sun readers think it's very artistic but I'm convinced there are dozens more of you who can produce an even more 'artistic' entry. All entries should reach me before 31 December after which the winner of the 'Worst Possible Taste Calendar' will be announced. First prize: A chance to explain yourself before a panel of discerning Commercial Motor staff members.