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Nationalization News

4th October 1946, Page 25
4th October 1946
Page 25
Page 25, 4th October 1946 — Nationalization News
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

OFFICIAL FIGURES REFUTE

SUGGESTION OF MONOPOLY naFFICIAL statistics were quoted by kJ Mr. R. G. Meager, in an address to the Londor centre of the Institute of Traffic Administration, to refute the Government's suggestion that the roadhaulage industry was in danger of becoming a monopoly. He pointed out that 48,000 A and B-licence holders operated 87,000 vehicles, or fewer than two each. Those figures, he declared, showed that the industry was far from reaching a state of monopoly.

Mr. Meager added that between June, 1938, and January, 1946, the holders of A and Contract 'A licences had decreased from 26,000 to 20,000, and B-licensees from 34,000 to 28,000.

He compared Mr. Herbert Morrison's description, in Canada, of the roadhaulage industry as a "drag on other industries," with the praise for the industry's war effort by Mr. Alfred Barnes, Minister of Transport. Nationalization, he declared, was contemplated more as a justification of policy than as a remedy for shortcomings. '

The omission of official reference to the control of C-licence holders must not mislead operators regarding the Government's ultimate intention to nationalize all road transport.

During a discussion, the danger that Government control would bring a stricter zoning scheme than that in force during the war, was envisaged.

The London centre of the Institute will hold its next meeting at Livingstone House, 42, Broadway, S.W.1, at 7 p.m. on October 16, when Mr. A. P. Young will speak on " Personnel Management."

KEENEST FIGHT AGAINST STATE CONTROL

OF all industries threatened by nationalization, the road-haulage industry had so far made the most determined and plucky fight, said Col. A. Jerrett, chairman of the Traders' Road Transport Association at Bristol.

A resolution was carried unanimously, declaring that nationalization of inland transport would Le detrimental to the interests of the country, and urging the Government to hold a public inquiry. Mr. J. H. Ramsden, chairman of the western area of the Association, who presided, said that it was the only transport organization that had ever, been formed with the sole purpose of furthering the interests of the C-licence hplder.

BID FOR WOMEN'S SUPPORT

1F Britain s transport services were nationalized, no one in the community would be more affected than women, said Mr. J. A. M. Bright, of Selby, a vice-chairman of the Road Haulage Association's Natio,ral Council, when he spoke at a meeting of the Bradford branch of the Business and Professional Women's Club on September 25. He stressed that women were the principal purthasers of consumer goods, which depended on transport at some stage in their production and distribution.

-There was, he said, evidence from the esperienct. of various countries that nationalization or centralized control was economically unsound. It had resulted in a general decrease in efficiency and in a wastage of vital assets.

The goods-transport scheme which had been put up to the Minister of Transport by the road-haulage industry was not an alternative to nationalization, but a much more practical solution of recognized problems. It had been worked out in conjunction with the railway companies, had been approved by other operators of inland transport, and accepted and supported by trade and industry throughout the country.

"ANTI-NAT." BODY FOR WOMEN?

WOMEN will be welcome at any of TY the business sessions of the Road Transport Conference at Margate, from October 9-13, but especially to that on the Thursday afternoon. An important resolution will be put forward at that session with a view to creating a national women's organization in connection with the campaign against nationalization of road transport.,

TOWARDS 40-HOUR WEEK

AT a meeting of the Road Haulage Central Wages Board last week the ,employees' side asked for a 44-hour week without reduced pay, and a fortnight's annual paid holiday. The aim is to secure abolition of the accumulative week and eventual introduction of a 40-hour week.

LAYSTALL CHAIRMAN DEAD

1ITR F. T. BERSEY, M.I.A.E., founder IVI and chairman of the Laystall Engineering Co., Ltd., and chairman of Joshua Bigwood and Son, Ltd., died on September 27. He was also chairman and managing director of Laystall Aircraft, Ltd., and the City Car Agency, Ltd. Mr. Bersey had been connected with the motor industry all his working life.

TRADERS WANT TO ENTER RATES DISCUSSIONS

MHE action of Aberdeen hauliers in

fixing rates without consulting traders was criticized at a meeting of Aberdeen Chamber of Commerce last week. The matter was brought up by Mr. F. Williamson, Donside Paper Mills, who had been in touch with the Road Haulage Association after a discussion at the previous meeting of the Chamber.

Mr. W. R. Wisely, haulage contractor, said that before the war the members of the haulage industry did meet and endeavour to agree on rates for various classes of traffic, and he thought that pre-war rates were fairly uniform.

The discussion, in which several members took part, ended when Mr. Wisely stated that there would soon be a Meeting of the committee of the R.H.A., and he understood that the matter would be brought up then.

ALUMINIUM PRESIDENT DENIES SHORTAGE

AN informal luncheon was given in London last week by leading members of the aluminium industry to Sir Edwin Plowden on the occasion of the knighthood recently conferred in recognition of his services as chief executive of the Ministry of Aircraft Production during the war.

Mr. Horace Clarke, president of the Aluminium Development Association, said that rece stories of an aluminium shortage were completely unfounded. If there were a shortage at all, it was merely local deficiency of labour.

I. QF T. PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS (IN October 14, Mr. R. Stuart Pitcher,

C.B.E., F.R.S.E., will deliver his inaugural address as president of the Institute of Transport. His subject will be "Road Passenger Transport" and the address will be made at the Institution of Electrical Engineers, Savoy Place, London, W.C.2, at 5.30 p.m.

Among those who have received from the Institute awards for papers presented during 1945-46 and for outstanding performances at the 1946 examinations are Mr. H. A. Cumow, road transport (passenger) award; Mr. G. Dickinson, A.M.lnst.T., Institute 1944 award; Mr. R. G. Mair, of George Ewer and Co., Ltd.; Mr. R. E. G. Brown, of the Traders' Road Transport Association; and Mr. G. Pullen, Widnes Corporation.

DEATH OF TANK INVENTOR

THE death is reported of Sir William Tritton, who, as an agricultural engineer, took a major part in designing and producing the first Tank in 1916. He was honoured by Knighthood in 1917 and received a monetary award from the Inventions Tribunal in 1920.

APPEAL TRIBUNAL'S ADDRESS

THE address of the Road and Rail Appeal Tribunal is Halifax House, Strand, London, W.C.2 (Telephone, Temple Bar 4881). The chairman of the Tribunal is, as previously announced, Mr. Gleeson E. Robinson, C.B., formerly Transport Commissioner, for the Metropolitan Area. No announcement has yet been made regarding the appointment of the other two members.


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