RATES—REACTION FROM CUSTOMERS
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COMMENT from representatives of industry and agriculture this week revealed the limited nse to which RHA rate recommendations have been applied in the past. Mr. S. C. Bond (Stewarts and Lloyds Ltd.) told The Commercial Motor that they would be guided by the Prices and Incomes Board's advice not to accept the 5 per cent increase at this stage. They would follow the line of policy indicated in paragraph 61 (3) of the Board report relative to the efficiency of individual hauliers.
Mr. L. A. Castleton (Metal Box Co. Ltd.) agreed with the Board's recommendations but considers there is misunderstanding as to the actual implementation of RHA recommendations. In future rate negotiation hauliers would be expected to give more regard to productivity. In the past
the RHA invariably asked for more than their members actually got.
The competitiveness of farmers' traffic is such that RHA recommendations have not in the past had any significant effect on the level of rates and the current situation was no exception. This is the opinion of Mr. E. W. Behhington (National Farmers' Union). But rate negotiation did provide the valuable opportunity to review productivity to the benefit of both farmer and haulier.
The Federation of British Industries has praised the Board's report on road haulage rates and invited its members to take the advice given in it, adding: "Its recommendations are in line with the prices and incomes policy which the FBI supports."