Arrest the Ramp in Rubber
Page 22
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A Vigorous Condemnation of the Racketeers Engaged in the Black Markets and Suggestions for Much Firmer Control by the Government
By
" Tantalus " pARLIAMENTARY history shows that the department responsible for transport has been regarded
invariably as the Cinderella of Ministries. The number of ministers who have succeeded each other with consistent regularity surely must constitute a record. A ministry so important has not received the recognilion rightly due to it.
However, light has come at last, and everybody—from the highest to the lowest—now realizes the importance of-road-transport on all fronts at home and abroad. Both the Ministry and the industry have come into their own; but it has taken a war to accomplish this. To-day the Ministry of War Transport—with its ramifications and widespread influence—undoubtedly is outstanding in many phases of the war effort.
• Organizing and controlling transport cannot be MP regarded as the Alpha and Omega of responsibility. There are also to be planned adequate supplies of new vehicles, Spare parts for maintenance, fuel and oil, and— by no means last—tyres. The matter of the last-named item is one which I desire to ventilate.
This war, as did the last, has produced new words and expressions which are being employed in common use. and one which stands out prominently at the present time is "Black Market." This particular term is used to describe a type of racket which is occurring constantly in connection with various commodities, ranging from the humble cabbage to the exclusive mushroom; from the " fag " to the most expensive brands of cigarettes; as also in. food, clothing, and, in fact, innumerable necessities. The racketeers know full well that for the above named and many additional articles there is a ready and waiting market. Doubtless we could tighten our belts and go without a smoke or a drink in an effort to bring victory nearer and to defeat the racketeers, but we cannot do without rubber; indeed, failing a sufficient supply, we could lose the war.
Tyres the Subject of Latest Ramp Already there is a tyre ramp; the black-market operations have commenced and an attack on a vital home front has been launched. Unless immediate steps be taken to control developments, the situation may get entirely out of hand. An official announcement was made recently concerning the controlling of the price of used tyres conjointly With a scheme for the collection of old rubber. I am informed that the price of scrap rubber is round about 60s. per ton. A few days ago, however, a case came to my notice where a deal had been effected at £20 per ton. Numerous '' lots " have changed hands at prices within.the region of £15 per ton. These, surely, are instances of the worst type of racket. Those operating the market are fully aware of the embargo on the sale of new tyres and have organized this plan accordingly.
If only those in authority would display initiative and enterprise equivalent to those conceived by the racketeers, the black market would prove too unprofitable for a continuance of operations. Price control is good ; the organizing of a national scheme for the collection of scrap rubber is also good—but not good enough. There is an open door through which the gangs of racketeers can pass unmolested. This must be closed without delay.
It would seem that any person is free to travel the country for the purpose of purchasing old tyres and scrap rubber wherever possible for resale to the highest bidder. Doubtless, in preparing their plans, the members of the black-market fraternity take care to locate the various dumps well in advance and to place. their agents accordingly.
There is a means by which control can be rendered effective. The first step to this end should be the immediate requisitioning of all old tyres under a Government order. Stocks held by garages, municipalities, publicutility companies, etc., should be declared within a specified date. The second step should ensure that no dealing could take place except under licence. The free and open market should be closed. I submit that these proposals would be effective in weakening a ramp in the early stages, if not in eliminating it.
Transport cannot continue to operate without rubber. Therefore prompt action must be taken to safeguard its needs. Old and used tyres should not be allowed to disappear as so many foodstuffs disappeared immediately control was introduced.
Still More Opportunities for Theft The possibility of theft cannot be ignored. Thieves will be on the move, losing no opportunity to exploit their cleverness. So in the event of official dumps being created these should be placed under an armed guard. Vehicles conveying rubber should also be protected. A bullet finding refuge in the anatomy of a would-be thief is likely to prove more salutary than the imposition of a fine which, in the majority of cases, causes far too little mental anxiety or discomfort. There should be no half measures in dealing with those who hold to ransom vital sinews of war.
Which Government department is responsible for the tackling of this problem? The Rubber Control Board of the Ministry of Supply is responsible for salvaged rubber. New tyres are the concern of the Ministry of War Transport. Will there be a joint effort between the two Ministries or will it be a case of "passing the buck "—a procedure far too frequently employed and one which results in no action being taken at all? If— assuming there is a joint responsibility—the two Ministries cooperate, with a determination to stamp out the evil, the robber ramp might very soon be an episode of the past.
In conclusion, I cannot refrain from quoting the instructions recently issued to all Government departments by the Governor of the Straits Settlements, in which appeared the following :—" The day of minute papers has gone. There must be no more passing of files from one department to another. . . .
the day of letters and reports is over. Every officer must accept responsibility to the full in taking decisions . . the essential thing is speed in action. Nothing matters which is not directly concerned with defence and no one should be troubled with it. Officers who show they cannot take responsibility should be replaced by those who can. Seniority is of no account."