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Will the Pool. be Made the Scapegoat ?

4th September 1942
Page 17
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Page 17, 4th September 1942 — Will the Pool. be Made the Scapegoat ?
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

APPREHENSION lest the Hauliers' National Traffic Pool be scrapped and the Government chartered fleet retained was voiced during discussion on the Government road haulage scheme, at a meeting of the Federation of Yorkshire Road Transport Employers, last week. It was urged that, on the contrary, the chartered fleet should be abolished, leaving the Pool to deal with all Govetnment traffic.

The discussion resulted in the adoption of a resolution which after stating that the scheme was still working unsatisfactorily, with costly and unnecessary duplication of administrative functions, advocated "an impartial investigation by independent persons into the past working and cost of the scheme, such persons (or committee, or commission) to report to the Government urgently, and to formulate recommendations for the future working of a scheme." The resolution further suggested " that the Government should consult the National Standing Joint Committee regarding the putting into operation of such recommendations."

In opening the discussion. Mr. Frank Thompson, chairman of the Federation, said most hauliers were disgruntled and disappointed at the way in which the scheme was working. Whilst lorries were often idle, much traffic formerly carried by road had undoubtedly been " tunnelled" to the railway. It seemed to him common sense that instead of being kept waiting for traffic, as they often were, vehicles enrolled in the scheme should be sent to help relieve congestion by clearing goods at railway stations.

Mr. J. S. Hutchinson (Huddersfield) said that not only was road haulage traffic on the scarce side, but he did not think there was much likelihood of it attaining the tonnage of 12 months ago. It was quite obvious that that traffic could be handled by operators on a commercial footing, and he suggested that if the Government required some organization for use in case of emergency that need could be met by the Hauliers' national Traffic Pool.

Striking a note of warning when corn-, plaining of inefficiency of the scheme, Mr. Hutchinson said: " Don't let us forget that the Government asked the industry to appoint its own officials, and if the scheme is proved to have been a failure the Government will turn round and say the industry has failed them. I-don't blame the officials who are running the scheme., I can only conclude they have been dictated to by civil servants in Whitehall."

The pledge of partnership between the Government and the industry, given at the scheme's inauguration, had been broken by moves to obtain nonGovernment traffic for the chartered fleet, continued Mr. Hutchinson.

With reference to possible changes in the scheme, Mr. Wild (BarnoIdswick) said the inference to be drawn from a recent statement by the Ministry of War Transport was that it was the Haulers' National Traffic Pool which would "go to the wall," rather than the chartered fleet.

A member thereupon commented that as the Pool carried traffic at less cost than' did the chartered fleet, it would be wiser to retain the Pool.

Mr. Hutchinson said there was a danger that the Pool would be abolished and the chartered fleet kept.

It was decided to forward copies of the meeting's resolution to all M.P.s for Yorkshire constituencies, as well as to the Minister of War Transport, the Chairman of the Road Haulage (Operations) Advisory Committee, the Standing Joint Committee, and the National Federation of Road Transport Employers. PERSONAL PARS

MR. Davao W. Dotrotass and Ma. Ca. BOWDEN PARKES, M.C., B,Corn., have been appointed to the j3oard of Small and Parkes, Ltd., of Manchester, Mr. Douglas has been secretary to the company since 1919, and Mr. Bowden Parkes has been in charge of its London activities since 1924.

Ma. H. F. OUTEN, of Luton, who has been a valued member of Associated Road Operators for some years past, leaves shortly to take tip an appointment in the Armed Forces. He is a member of the National Council and various committees of the Metropolitan Area of A.R.O. and vicechairman of the Luton Sub-area.

MR. Jossrua E. floviE, who at 84 years of age recently retired from the secretaryship of the Halifax Transport Owners Association after 23 years' service in that office, was honoured by the members last week, when they presented him with a silver tea service and a cheque, Councillor Wilson

• Haigh, president, spoke of the wise guidance which Mr. Hoyle bad given to the members, and Mr. H. H. Beaumont (Ripponden) pointed out that he had done excellent work both for their own organization and for numerous others in Halifax.

SAVE A SHEET A WEEK

FEwpeople realize the tremendous effect which the economy of the individual can have when considered 4 from the national standpoint. For example, if everybody in the country would use one sheet less of notepaper per week, this would save 100 tons in that period, sufficient to make . 20,000,000 bullet wads for the guns of our Spitfires.

AN UNUSUAL CHARGE : HAULIER AND DRIVERS FINED

AT Blackburn County Magistrate's L–I,Court, 'last week, a haulier was fined a total of £11 for having in his possession, for trade purposes, ashes to which a false trade description as to measure was applied, for measuring ashes by the cubic yard in an unstamped receptacle, and foraiding and abetting three of his drivers in carrying ballast (a load of more than one cubic yard) without having a conveyance note. Each of the drivers was fined 15s.

SIGNING FOR DAMAGED GOODS

DRIVERS who are asked to give clear L./signatures for goods which appear to be damaged when collected at docks and warehouses, are given the following words. of useful advice by the Liverpool Cart and Motor Owners Asso ciation. •

" Drivers, if they are satisfied that the goods are damaged, should clearly indicate on the delivery note, when they sign for the goods, the nature and extent of damage. By doing so they will help in dealing with claims.

" lf the master porter declines to accept a qualified signature when the condition of the goods justifies it, the District Traffic Manager of the Mersey Dock and Harbour Board should be appealed to."


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