Checking the Agriculturist "Haulier"
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LAST week, in our Royal Show and Agricultural Transport Number, we referred to the unfair advantages which, under the Road and Rail Traffic Act, are given to agriculturists who do haulage for others engaged in farming work, and pointed out how the privileges given to them are being abused in rural areas throughout the country in a manner which was certainly not the intention of Parliament.
Some of these operators are, owing to a reduced Road Fund Tax and the fact that they can run their vehicles -under a C licence, finding it more profitable to act as hauliers, and are treating the agricultural part of their business almost as a side line. An additional disturbing factor is that they are not subject to the requirements in respect of wages and conditions formulated by the Conciliation Board. As a result, they constitute one of the principal difficulties against the stabilization of wages.
We learn, however, that this condition of affairs is not likely to continue without a big fight to end it, or, at least, to reduce these subversive activities to a point at which they will cease to be unfair competition, working, as they do, on what is really a subsidized basis. Strong Efforts Remove a Source petition With the Associated Road Operators has for some time been engaged in its various areas in collecting information on this and other points, regarding which it may be considered that an amendment to the Act should be recommended. In this connection, it will shortly subthit to the British Road Federation a request that a deputation shall wait upon the Minister of Transport to urge the importance of early steps being taken to deal with this and other matters which would appear to require attention. It is hoped that this will be arranged• before the House rises.
We are glad to have a definite assurance from the Association in question that it is actively engaged in this matter, which is one of such concern to the legitimate haulier. The work which it is doing is just one more example of the value of unity, for without powerful representation grievances could not be ventilated in the proper quarters, and the industry would be compelled to suffer in silence, to its very considerable disadvantage. According to his own statement the Minister of Transport welcomes advice given to him on urgent matters by reputable bodies, and will accord them his serious consideration.
Being Made to of Unfair Corn-. Legitimate Trade
of the excellent facilities afforded, the passengers being made thoroughly comfortable and being freed from all responsibilities.
Hotel proprietors have expressed to us the view that certain of their establishments could barely continue to exist without this new trade ; and in this connection they by no means welcome the activities of the railway companies in their endeavours to popularize railway tours where the parties are accommodated in special " hotel " coaches. They regard these as being competitive and, consequently, directly opposed to their own interests. . .
This liking.for.coaching.parties should certainly be encouraged by the road operators concerned with these tours, and we would put forward the suggestion that passengers often object to being herded together during meal times: They usually: prefer to separate into particular groups, and not to be all seated at a single board, which is apt to create the impression of a "Sunday school treat." This applies mainly to the dining arrangements, but, to a certain extent, also to those made for the shorter halts.
Hotel managements would be well advised to treat tourists as ordinary guests, or even particularly favoured ones, and their staffs should be instructed accordingly. Those tourists who wish to sit apart should certainly be given the opportunity of so doing. It does not necessarily follow that because a party is always together on a vehicle, the individuals comprising it do not desire to have an element of privacy when away from the coach.
The Prospects of Noise Reduction
DURING recent years, air intakes and exhaust silencers have received particular attention with wholly beneficial results. The modern commercial vehicle sets a really high standard in these two respects. General mechanical noise also has been reduced, but there is no room for, argument that it cannot still further be cut down:, At all times noise is annoying, and is best defined as unwanted sound.
That there are genuine prospects' of effecting, such a reduction is a matter which will shortly be. proved. We have witnessed tests of a soundabsorbing material which is capable of decreasing the "annoyance value" of mechanical noise by over 50 per cent, at a really low cost. It is used for lining bonnets and engine casings, also for cab roofs.
Improved silence will cut down the fatigue experienced by drivers and react generally towards greater public safety. We hope to record in detail further advances in this direction in the near future.