A Government Census of Distribution
Page 14
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A SIGNIFICANT move by the Board of Trade is its new scheme involving a census of distribution. The apparent reason is that the cost of this service to trade and industry and the public rose steadily in the pre-war years, whilst it is claimed that the efficiency gradually decreased. The inquiry will not, it seems, concern transport alone, but the whole system utilized between the producer and the publfc.
The Board will, however, take into consideration the millions of ton-miles which have been saved during the war by the rationalizing of transport in respect of, mainly, retail delivery. We know already that some of the more important branches of the retail trade have had their eyes opened as to what can be done in this direction, and have under consideration the retention of certain methods of pooling, etc., which have shown themselves to be advantageous.
So far as our industry is concerned, there are two factors which require study. The first is as to whether the service to the public would deteriorate or improve ; the second is as to how any change in the system may affect operators and manufacturers. As regards the former, much must depend upon the class of work. The housewife may not appreciate a small reduction in the cost of food and commodities if deliveries are not to be so frequent and convenient. Secondly, the matter must be viewed in its relationship to each particular section of the retail trade.
In respect of the second factor, pooling might well result in a decrease in the total number of vehicles required, in which case it would operate adversely to the interests of the • manufacturer. Here, again, it is necessary to divide these interests, for schemes of this nature may result in a reduced call for vehicles in the light-van classes to the advantage of those inpheavier categories. The little butcher's van, with its few joints of meat, may be replaced by a. larger vehicleengaged on a longer regular round.
One thing seems certain, however, and that is, it is the intention of the Government to take, in the future, a greater interest, and possibly pat in, matters which, until recently, were considered to be solely the spheres of ordinary commerce and business relations, but whether for good or ill remains to be seen.