It is Not Too Late Constructive Criticisms That Were Put
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Forward in this Journal Before the Conference on Rail and Rcad Transport Began Its Work. Grave Warnings That Became Accurate Prophecies
By THE EDITOR
EVERY section of the road transport industry, and all those producers and traders who benefit so greatly by reason of the facilities provided, should use their strength and resources to the utmost to combat the amazing and destructive taxation proposals for commercial vehicles, both goods and passenger-carrying, which have been put forward by the Conference on Rail and Road Transport. Petty rivalries must be swept aside, Rome is burning and we cannot afford to fiddle, the very existence of the industry, which is the fourth most important in the country, depends upon joint effort during the next few weeks.
" C.M." Warnings which Proved to be Accurate Prophecies.
It has been suggested that sections of the Press did not fully grasp the significance and importance of the recommendations which might be put forward by the Conference, but this accusation does not apply to The Commercial Motor, which alone, of all the newspapers, issued, not once but on several occasions, grave warnings, which subsequent events have proved to have been remarkably accurate prophecies.
Our criticisms were constructive, not destructive, and even now it is not too late to utilize, with advantage, some of the proposals.then made.
The Conference began its work on April 14th, but as early as March 13th we made the following statement in a leading article:— " We prefer the proposal of Sir Arthur GriffithBoscawen, who suggests a conference of the various competing transport agencies, the railways, road carriers and representatives of the traders and users of transport. The latter two, as being sections vitally affected, should most certainly have opportunities for presenting their views, because road transport has done more for the general trade of this country than any other mecums for transit.
"Mr. Pybus has pointed out that the eventual decision as to the definite policy to be followed must, of course, rest with the Government. Therefore, it is all the more important that every interest concerned should have the opportunity of stating its ease, otherwise the decision to be made may be unduly influenced by the railway side."
Our Early Reference to the Constitution of the Committee.
On March 29th., after the selection of the members of the Conference had been carried out, we wrote the following:— "The constitution of the committee has, however, let the cat out of the bag, and it has jumped to the side of the railways, for although we have every respect for the actual members representing road transport, it is obvious that the corn, mit tee is not fully representative of road interests. There has been some lamentable lack of co-operation between the latter, and the haulage interests have, to a great extent, been out-manceuvred." Late'r on, in the same leading article, appeared the following:— " We demand that the constitution of the committee be revised immediately, and either substitution be made or further members co-opted, so that road-transport interests will be properly represented. This is no unimportant matter, as the opinions to be expressed by the committee will undoubtedly have a profound influence upon any action to be taken by the Minister, and it is of the most vital importance that account should be taken of the views of all sections of the industry. We have already expressed the opinion that those who utilize road transport for the conveyance of their raw materials and products should also have opportunities for stating their requirements in tkis direction.
"In view of the fact that the terms of reference include the total costs of the roads and the proportions of the costs borne by the various sections of road users, it appears to us that the presence on the committee of at least one member representing passenger road transport interests is advisable, if not actually essential."
Passenger-vehicle Interests Should Have Been Represented.
The strongly worded protest recently issued by the London General Omnibus Co., Ltd., against the suggestion that passenger-vehicle taxation should be increased by nearly 50 per cent., shows how vital It was that passenger-vehicle operators should have been represented on the Conference.
Finally, on April 5th, we published a leading article under the heading of "David and Goliath," in which we made the following comments:— " It is obvious from the constitution of the new committee set up to investigate the ,conditions under which road and rail transport are operated that the railways have brought forward their big guns, but we are not at all satisfied that the roadtransport interests are sufficiently well represented. The David of the Roads will have to possess a very powerful sling to cope with the Goliath of the Railways.
" It does not seem to be realized in many quarters that this committee has been given functions almost as important as those entrusted to the Royal Commission on Transport. Its report may well be taken by the Minister of Transport as a basis for the future conduct of transport by road, and any objection subsequently raised may be met by the answer, 'Well, the procedure was suggested by your own representatives.'
"The members representing the railways are already pointing out the need for the cessation of road-transport propaganda while the committee is in session. This might be quite satisfactory if the road-transport side of the committee had the full confidence of the industry, but to muzzle powerful protagonists and rely upon weak representation is far from being likely to meet the approval of those most vitally concerned."