Industry Welcomes New Government
Page 31
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Goods and Passenger Operators See New Hope of Freedom
THROUGH their Associations, members of the road transport industry offer their co-operation to the new Government. Under Conservative rule they look forward to freedom to carry on their businesses without interference and to the rapid repeal of the restrictive legislation which at present prevents road transport from giving maximum service. Mr. Peter Yorke, director of the British Omnibus Companies' Ptiblic Relations Committee, counsels a sober outlook. "The price of liberty is still, as always, eternal vigilance," he says. Mr. F. D. Fitz-Gerald, secretary of the Traders' Road Transport Association, supports this view, but points out that the threat to the C-licensee is more economic than political.
From PETER YORKE Director, British Omnibus Companies' Public Relations Committee .MOW that the nationalizers are out of power, the provincial road passenger transport industry is entitled to pause for a moment and congratulate itself on the fact that, after over six years of Socialist rule, it has come out unscathed, except for the secession of those of its members who thought fit to sell out voluntarily. Measured in terms of the numbers of motorbuses, trolleybuses, coaches and trams operating in the provinces, the section within the State transport system represents only some 20 per cent. of the country's total fleet.
The complicated area-scheme machinery prescribed by the Transport Act prevented automatic and unthinking nationalization on a national scale, which, had Part IV of the Transport Act been framed differently, might well have come about as a matter of course.
Public Antagonism Of all the nationalization projects, bus nationalization has proved to be the most unpalatable to the man in the street. Whereas the public has never been violently stirred by anti-nationalization campaigns of other industries in which it was not directly interested, everybody rides on a bus.
Even so, public opinion would have remained inarticulate had it not been for the emergence of passenger assOcialions, which made clear the issues at stake and enabled the public to make its opposition to the schemes both vocal and effective. This organized resistance brought home to the pablic that if the buses had been nationalized, fares would have gone up—in the sacred name of road-rail integration—very much more than they have done under private and municipal enterprise.
The vast majority of the industry, on both the private-enterprise and municipal sides, has also stood squarely opposed to nationalization in whatever disguise it was dressed up. It cannot have escaped the notice of the British Transport Commission that many bus workers themselves, through their own Anti Nationalization Society, were opposed to the policy endorsed by their trade unions.
Now that the Sword of Damocles has been sheathed (we hope permanently), those in charge of the buses can forget about politics. No longer will general managers have to spend precious time in scanning the newspapers to see whether would-be nationalizers are making some trivial flaw in their services the excuse for "integration,' "co-ordination," or some other specious polysyllabic panacea.
Valuable time will be saved which has latterly been spent in writing letters to the Press, designing leaflets and book, lets, and displaying posters and slogans. The preliminary preparations to oppose area schemes in the North-East, East Anglia and the West Country can be suspended. Boards of directors can plan for the future without fear that they may be penalized for their foresight.
It remains to add a word of warning. "We have scotched the snake, not killed it." Governments do not last for ever and the threat of nationalization may be raised again at some date in the near or distant future. The price of liberty is still, as always. eternal vigilance.
From F. D. FITZ-GERALD Secretary, Traders' Road Transport Association ALTHOUGH a non-political body. the Traders' Road Transport Association will, as always, readily co-operate with the Government of the day in advancing the interests of road transport.
If the bases or sources of the various attacks on the present freedom of operation of C-licence holders be examined, it becomes evident that they emerge mainly from the financial and operating problems of the railway undertaking. This is true not only in Great Britain, but in many other countries. Until, therefore, the railways have been converted into a profitable. but commercial form of transport. C-licence holders cannot afford to relax their vigilance, whatever may be the politkal -natureof the Government at any time.
The present heavy burden of motor taxation—of which so small a proportion is used for highway purposes— coupled with the consequential low standard of road maintenance, and the almost entire absence of greatly needed highway development, have artificially and substantially increased the cost of road transport. This not only brings higher internal price levels, but adds to the difficulties of those trying to expand Britain's exports,
[he time is long overdue when Governments should correctly evaluate the important contribution made by the commercial side of the road transport industry to the economic well-being of the country. Until that time arrives, there can be little questicin that C-licence holders and the -industry in general, will need to he ever on the alert.
From F. A. WALKER National Secretary, Passenger Vehicle Operators' Association
pRIVATE enterprise has again won its fight against State monopoly. The period of waiting was tiresome and costly, and disastrous for the interests of the public, which the road passenger transport industry has served so well over the years,
Freed from the threat of nationalization. with the prospect also of equal terms for all providers of road transport, the industry can now resume its progress and its duty to give the Public what it wants—an efficient, cheap and flexible system.
Let us hope that the leaders of the new Government can quickly find a solution of the major economic and foreign problems, so that Britain May soon enjoy the benefit of its own efforts.
L.T.E. Tactics "Unfair '" Pending appropriate amending legislation, steps can and should be taken quickly to halt the unfair tactics of the London Transport Executive, and to curb the use of its powers by the British Transport Commission.
The Passenger Vehicle Operators', Association, on behalf of its members, extends its co-operation and a warm welcome to the new Government. Long may it last; and preserve free enterprise.
From R. MORTON MITCHELL Chief Executive Officer, .Road Haulage Association
THE change of Government gives new hope to independent hauliers, who have consistently fought the waste and inefficiency of nationalized transport. We expect that the new Government will immediately set about implementing its promises to free road haulage, and restore it to private enterprise. 1 his will give a real opportunity, for, and an impetus to, the natural development of the most economic form of ransport: We have always endeavoured to relieve the heavy burdens imposed upon trade and industry as a result of the rigidity and inefficiency of nationalization.
The changes desired• by the Road Haulage Association will remove the transport worries that have assailed trade and industry under nationalization. Traders will once again enjoy freedom of choice as to the form of transport desired, and be able to use the efficient and economic haulage sers, ices to which they were previously accustomed under free enterprise.