Nationalization News
Page 25
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GROCERS FIGHT STATE CONTROL OF TRANSPORT
ALL affiliated associations and membeni have been urged by the National Federation of Grocers and Provision Dealers' Associations to do their utmost to further the campaign against the nationalization of road transport. With this objective, a special circular has been issued to associations.
The parliamentary committee of the Federation has commented: "We think that the railway companies and road hauliers are able to operate an effective co-ordinated transport scheme without the introduction of hampering red-tape and regulations inseparable from Gov ernment monopoly. Indeed, such a scheme is operating already and it is capable of progressive development.
"This scheme leaves to manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers, reasonable competitive choice of transport service best suited to their businesses. Further, it does not interfere with the C licence-holder's freedom to carry his own goods in his own vehIcles if he so desires.
"Retention of that freedom is a fundamental necessity, but, with all other forms of transport nationalized, it is certain that the C licensee's operative freedom will be severely circumscribed. This view is confirmed by an interview with the Minister of Transport attended by our secretary (Mr. W. Herman Kent, 0.B.E.)."
SERVICE DESPITE THE STATE
AAT a Press Conference at Ashford recently, Mr. A. Baynton, 0.B.E., general manager of the East Kent Road Car Co., Ltd., said that the only attacks against the industry have been on the grounds that it has provided a service too cheap and tot) highly competitive with older forms of transport.
Free enterprise created Britain's roadtransport services. Individual finance, individual courage, and individual initiative built them up. Road transport had nothing for which to thank the State. Successive Governments had burdened the industry with intolerable taxation, controls, restrictions, and bureaucratic interference.
For example, the State tried to retain a 12 m.p.h. speed limit, a maximum vehicle capacity of 34 passengers, and a vehicle width of 7 ft. Efforts of the industry had obtained a 30 m.p.h. speed limit, a vehicle capacity up to 70 passengers, and a vehicle width of 8 ft.
The industry to-day, he said, is, perhaps, a perfect example of the British genius for imposing a measure of control, in the interests of the public, without destroying the drive and initia live of private enterprise.
WHO SHOULD PAY FOR FIGHT AGAINST NATIONALIZATION?
Isprivate enterprise entitled to spend part of its funds in fighting nationalization? Doubt was expressed by Mr. Herbert Morrison, Lord President of the Council, when, at Glasgow last Sunday, he declared that the electricity industry would be socialized during the lif'e of the present Parliament.
He described the efforts of the electricity suppliers to protect their own property and interests as a great political campaign. Mr. Morrison said that there were serious dangers in private profit-making undertakings using large funds from their corporate resources to conduct political campaigns against the Government of the day.
Sir Robert Renwick, chairman of the Electricity Supply Companies' Public Relations Committee, denied the truth of' Mr. Morrison's statement that the electricity industry was conducting a political campaign.
DISCRIMINATION ALLEGED
Q PEAKING on transport nationaliza
tion on September 19, Mr. Clifford Kenyon, M.P. for Chorley, alleged that Ribble Motor Services, Ltd., ran buses to seaside towns, leaving workers in Adlington, Coppull, Croston, Withnell and other districts with restricted transport facilities. The seaside traffic was more profitable, he said.
T.M. CLUB OPENS IN MIDLANDS
TTHAT change is the essence of civilization zation was the gist of an observation made by Mr. R. Stuart Pilcher, C.B.E. (chairman, West Midland Traffic Commissioners) at the inaugural dinner and dance of the Transport Managers' Club (Midland Area) in Birmingham last Friday. Road transport had always been progressive, he said, and would continue to be. He was proposing the toast of the club.
In responding, Mr. Henry T. Duffield, M.Inst.T., president of the club, said he had hoped that Mr. Pitcher would have been able to say something more about the future of the industry, and in particular, that he would have been able to wish the club long life and not merely "every success."
The function was patronized by the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Birmingham and notable guests.
MECHANICAL "ERRAND BOYS"
A NOTTINGHAM man who is r1 organizing a fleet of commercial vehicles to be used as an "errand-boy pool service," has been granted a licence. The pool will be used by local traders who are unable to obtain errand boys to deliver their orders.
PERSONAL PARS MR. C. A. LYON has been appointed Press and publications officer to London Transport.
MR. H. Currrotnucx. has been appointed secretary of the S.M.M.T. Heavy Vehicle Manufacturers' Section.
Ms. A. J. CuLLEN has been appointed district manager in charge of the new Firestone office and warehouse at Quayside. Bridge Street, Cambridge, which will serve Huntingdonshire, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, and the Soke of Peterborough. MR. W. YOUNG, trade sales manager of the Firestone Tyre and Rubber Co., Ltd., has recently completed 25 years' service.
MR. G. E. BEHARRELL, managing director of the Dunlop Rubber Co.,Ltd., is flying toAmerica to-day (September 27) to visit the company's factories in Buffalo and Toronto, returning by the "Queen Elizabeth" on her first peace= time voyage from New York at about the end of October. MR. W. GOFF has been appointed personnel manager at Fort Dunlop in succession to Mr. Walter Bond.
MR. T. J. TILS-irON, London Transport's operating manager (trams and trolleyhuses), retired on September 21. Mr. Tilston joined the London County Council tramways in 1906. In 1918, he was appointed assistant divisional superintendent, and became divisional superintendent in 1920. He was promoted operating manager (trams and trolleybuses) in 1941. Mr. T. W. TOWERS, divisional superintendent (north—trams and trolleybuses), has been appointed acting operating manager (trams and trolleybuses).
MR. HENRY F. C. ADCOCK has been appointed by London Transport as assistant divisional superintendent (northern division), trams and trolleybuses. During the war he was traffic superintendent of the United Commercial Corporation's road transport organization, carrying arms to Russia through Persia, for which he received from Russia "The Order of the Red Star." He came back to England in 1944 and was sent to Germany, where he helped restore passenger transport services in the Ruhr and in Berlin for the Allied Control Commission.
MR. G. MACKENZIE JuNNER, F.R.S.A., M.I.A.E., M.I.R.T.E., Minst.Met., chairman of the Institute of Road Transport Engineers, was recently elected president of that body. He will continue to act as chairman. Mr. Junner, who is a qualified engineer, is Editor of "The Commercial Motor." He originated the idea for the Institute on February 10, 1943, and published first details on January 7, 1944, arranging a luncheon-conference on April 28 of that year, when an enthusiastic gathering of some 200 potential members, representatives of manufacturers, municipal transport engineers, Ministry officials and others accepted the idea, a formation committee being appointed. Since the incorporation of the Institute, its value has increased steadily. .