Off-season Work for Beet ,Hauliers
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THE Regional Transport Commis' sifter for the Eastern Area is inviting hauliers who have been operating vehicles on short-term Defence Permits for sugar beet to take out permits for a further three months to enable the vehicles to be used on aerodrome-construction work. Lists of these vehicles are being supplied to the contractors at aerodromes, who are getting into touch with the hauliers concerned. The latter, naturally enough, are welcoming this opportunity of finding additional work , for vehicles which might otherwise be rendered idle by the termination of the beet season.
The contractors concerned have to come to agreement with hauliers as regards rates, and. in this connection Mr. G. W. Irwin, secretary, Eastern Area, Associated Road Operators, offers a few words of advice. He has learned that, in the letters which some contractors are sending to hauliers theire is embodied the threat that unless the Owner Of the vehicle be agreeable to hire it to the contractor, steps will be taken to requisition the 'vehicle.
Attached to the letter is a schedule of rates whichthe contractors say they are " authorized to offer."
Mr. Irwin points out that the R.T.C. alone has powers of requisitioning, and he will not take that step in the case of vehicles already engaged on work of National importance, although they may not be engaged on aerodrome work. If, therefore, a haulier has vehicles which are engaged on such work he should adviQe the contractor accordingly.
As that letter of advice will probably be sent forward to the authorities the haulier must, before writing it, make sure that he has a good case.
A haulier should, therefore, compare his costs of operation with the rates offered, and if the latter be inadequate he should -refuse them and insist on rates which he considers to be fair. In many cases the work offered is at a site far removed from the haulier's base, and the circumstances are such that his driver cannot return home at night and must, therefore, be paid 6s. per night subsistence.