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The Views of R.H. A. Area Chairmen on

5th May 1933, Page 127
5th May 1933
Page 127
Page 128
Page 127, 5th May 1933 — The Views of R.H. A. Area Chairmen on
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

THE NEW LEGISLATION

Some Forcible Opinions on the New Bill and the Budget Proposals Expressed by the Chairmen of the Regional Area Committees of the Road Haulage Association

Mr. S. R. Marston, West Midland Area.

OPERATORS -who are not members of the Road Haulage

Association, railway shareholders and the man in the street, may be led to think that the death-knell of road transport has been struck. However, all staunch -supporters of the Road Haulage Association know what a fighting force the National Council can be and have no qualms in leaving their interests in the capable hands of its members.

In regard to the Budget proposals I feel that representation should -be made to the Chancellor to forgo the 1() per cent. surcharge for quarterly licences. Obviously few, if any, operators under the new taxation could afford to take out their licences annually, but would be forced, owing to the large amounts demanded, to take out quarterly licences. I feel, therefore, that relief in this respect might be pressed for.

I can conceive it to be possible that, under the new legislation, haulage firms doing purely a local business may return to the horse-drawn vehicle. Should this be the case, town congestion will be seriously increased, both from this cause and the fact that operators will be using larger numbers of smaller vehicles, many of them drawing trailers. 1, personally, regret to see the encouragement given to the use of the trailer as a means for transport, from the point of view of safety and congestion.

I am sorely afraid that the heavy taxation proposed will greatly add to the present unemployment figures, unless considerable increases in rates are immediately put intoi force. The West Midland Regional Area is tackling the rate question seriously. A strong committee of knowledge: able men in the industry is examining the position and will shortly put before its members concrete proposals, and I trust that other areas of the Road Haulage Association will adopt similar lines.

In conclusion, I deplore the fact that the R.H.A. membership strength was not at its present figure before the Salter Conference was called. Had we our present strength we must have been represented on the conference and had this been possible the Road and Rail Traffic Bill would undoubtedly have been a document more acceptable to the industry.

Capt. J. W. Jones, Western Area.

THE Budget, as suggested, has come as a great shock to all engaged in the road-haulage industry. Even if it be a modification on the Salter Report, the increased taxation is _bound to cripple many of the smaller operators. The existing rates leave a bare margin of profit and, to make bad matters worse, there are so many unscrupulous operators offering drastic cuts, in face of the proposed increased taxation. As with every other commodity on the market, there is an economic rate for road transport and for some time it has dropped below the position which allows a fair margin of profit.

It has been evident that, for some time past, licensing of some kind had to come, and the majority of those engaged in the road-haulage industry will welcome many of the sections embodied in the new Bill. At the moment it would be unwise unduly to criticize, section by section, but there are certain sections which are rather ambiguous and might be dangerous if they became law.

It cannot be denied that there is now a redundancy of lorries on the road and the new legislation will undoubtedly curtail an undesirable increase, and remove from the road those who are bringing the industry into disrepute. . My firm conviction is that, provided the amendments put forward are iucluded, the new Bill will be a great help to those who are in the business and have been established for some years.

Mr. J. C. Hogg, South Scottish Area.

THE Budget proposals are a decided blow to road haulage operators in this locality, but they might have been a great deal worse, considering that the Government waa pressed by the railway companies to accept the taxation rates suggested by the Salter Commission. The industry in thia district will soon recover from the shock and by the time thq new scales come into force will have found ways and mean4 to meet the extra cost involved. I consider that operator4 are much indebted to the Council of the Road Haulage Asso-? elation for the able way in which it tackled the Salter Commission's suggested scales of taxation.

The Road and Rail Traffic Bill has caused a certain amount or consternation in the South of Scotland, but once we get over the first shock I do not think the Bill will, in the long run, really be to the detriment of the industry. Provided the Commissioners take a broad-minded view of the situation, and are not unduly influenced, by railway propaganda, I do not see any reason to fear their decisions regarding A and B licences. The Cominissioners will require to have an intimate knowledge of the conditions in each district before they are in a position to act justly.

Mr. L. B. 0. Heilbrun, North-Western Area.

SEEN from the viewpoint of the haulage contractor, the Road and Rail Traffic Bill is a hazard in the way Of progress. It will place great difficulties in the way of the small haulier who has been making a living by carrying from anywhere to anywhere. It suggests that licences will be limited to certain routes, Which might be satisfactory for the larger firms with regular services, but would hamper others.

The Bill should apply equally to road vehicles owned or operated by a railway company ; this may be the intention, but it is not made clear. The regulations with regard to trailers are not at all clear and seem to make no allowance, for using or owning spare trailers.

In the case of A licences which "shall be granted for two years," if the Commissioners consider a concern sufficiently responsible to grant a licence, why should it be forced to live in the constant fear that the licence may not be renewed at the end of the period? Seasonal licences should be for longer periods than stated—six months would be more suitable. No provision has been made for licensing vehicles for rush jobs, which may occur at short notice. It should be permissible for applications for all A and B licences (as proposed for C licences) to be made to the Commissioners in the area where the registered office of the carrier is situated.

The sections referring to the keeping of records should be either deleted or considerably revised. A lorry driver cannot be expected to be a clerk, nor should any man be asked to make written records which might, in certain circumstances, incriminate him in legal prosecution. The required records should be made and kept at the offices of the carrier.

On the subject of wages it would be essential for national agreements to be made, including the pay of road drivers employed by the railways, as at present many peculiar anomalies exist between districts.

The Bill appears to have regard only for the control of road transport. in the interests of the railways, and much more allowance should be made for the wishes of the trading community.

The taxation proposals outlined in the Budget are going to throw an additional heavy burden on a new and progressive industry. It will he a great pity if the tax on oils and the heavy tax increase on vehicles with compression-ignition engines do anything to arrest the progressive growth of this type of vehicle, which has recently been such a satisfying factor iu the development of cheap road transport. It is fortunate that the Chancellor has not seen fit to impose the ridiculously heavy taxation proposals outlined in the Salter Report; nevertheless, he has not missed the opportunity, of assisting the railways and the exchequer, by throwing an additional burden on an already overtaxed essential industry.

When one considers that the larger type of .petrol vehicle uses considerably more than one hundred gallons of petrol per week, and the industry has for a long time been paying a tax of Sri. per gallon, it seems rather unfair that such vehicles should now be called upon to pay more than one hundred per cent, increase in excise duty, and a tax on lubricating oil. This excessive taxation may have the effect of making it impossible for some haulage contractors, to pay their way, and is bound to result in a general increase in rates, which, although very desirable, places road transport in an undesirable position,-ia view of. the railways' continued. policy of cutting rates.

Nevertheless, although at the moment prospects look rather hard for the road transport industry, there always have been great difficulties placed in the way of any new and progressive idea, and although the present difficulties may to some extent retard the progress of the industry, such retardation can only be temporary. The railways would, therefore, do well to bear this inmind.

Mr. R. E. Braithwaite, Eastern Area.

THERE is no shadow of doubt that the new legislation

and suggested taxation have been imposed on an already hard-hit industry which was previonsin paying, in the Opinion of most, its full, or more than its full, share of taxation. This should bring home to every Contractor the • absolute necessity of joining the Road Haulage Association. If we had realized in 1929-31 what was before us in 1933, we would have had an Association strong enough to: have been automatically included on -the Salter Conference.

Since the publication of the Salter Report the majority of large contractors has undoubtedly joined the R..H.A., but I would like to -impress on every contractor that the duty he owes to himself is to back the Association, by becoming a member. "Unity gives strength " and, although we may be down on the first round, the fight between road and rail is bound to be prolonged. I think that, in the end, the flag will fall in favour of the road, because, with equal taxation, it will undoubtedly ,give a better, cheaper -and quicker method of transport to' the trader.

Mr. D. Richardson, South-Eastern Area.

ONE can visualize the sanie, heart-burnings of 100, years. ago when Parliament authorized the construction of railways, but progress demanded it, and stage coach and horse-drawn vehicle had to give way. Surely the fight to-day, for fight it is, is similar, and rail must .give way to road by leaving work to motor vehicles that elm be carried out more speedily and efficiently. In delivering goods from warehouse to customers' door, from factory to slop, Much damage due to delay and extra handling in transit is prevented by using road motors.

We do not deny that there are good points in the Road and Rail Traffic Bill, but we really cannot accept some of the conditions therein suggested. What security is there in one's business if the licensing authorities have full .power to grant or refuse a licence? We suggest that these licences should be automatically renewed, provided that the owner has complied with the law, and if he shoulff have in any way offended, then the vehicle specifically in disgrace" (if the offence warrants it) should be refuseda licence.

We cavil not at the suggestion of increased taxation on vehicles Over 6 tons, but we claim that the tax should be less over the whole range of vehicles.

, Mr. E. F. Topham, East Lancashire Area.

UNLESS the proposed legislation affecting the carrier is greatly modified the welfare of a great industry employing, with its subsidiary trades, over a million men is in grave danger. The licensing proposals are unnecessary, unjust and restrictive of trade enterprise.

There are many grave objections to them and carriers must realize that the -fate of their business, "if they or their servants break' any of the onerous conditions under which the licence is granted," lies at the discretion of One man—subject to the, right of appeal, the expense of which, will probably he prohibitive.

Yonrlicence may he objected to by anyone interested in

any form of transport, whieh opens the door to endless loss of time, money, and' possibly the loss -of an old-established business. If, by some means, you can expand your business it depends on the .discretion of the Commissioner whether you can have the necessary .vehicle to do the .work.

The taxation proposals have been aptly described by a prominent public man as " outrageous and vindictive " and, if applied, will certainly put many thousands of vehicles and men off the road. Finally, .let me say that if we carriers accept the proposed legislation, then: we deserve all that is coming to us. If every carrier, whether he owns one or a hundred vehicles, will join the Association the fight ran be won.

Mr. C. H. P. Dalgleish, East Midland Area.

IT was expected that we•shotrid have sonic form of licensing,

with which I -am in full agreement and have far some time advocated. The Road and Rail Traffic Bill is, necessary, although it will need considerably amending before its terms can he satisfactorily carried out. : Vehicle insPeetion is necessary, but the standard required must not be as high

asfor passenger vehicles. It is also necessary that the

minimum -wages for drivers should be controlled. • The Budget proposals are Very drastic, Why penalize the road-transport 'industry for the benefit of other means for transport? I doubt if we shOuld have had a balanced Budget, had it not been for -the -benefits afforded to 'manufacturers and traders, who have been able to obtain prompt deliveries at short notice, and thereby satisfy their customers and the public demands. Road transport has no doubt helped to reduce unemployment, through the building of vehicles, and the driving and maintaining of them.

The proposed tax on splid-tyred vehicles is against the Road Traffic Act, 1930, under which Parliament Agreed to allow vehicles built before dauuary, 1030, to carry on until 1940 with solid tyres: a.large number of these vehicles is -Unsuitable for fitting with Pneumatic tyres. Can these vehicles (where possible) be fitted with pneumatic tyres; with a certainty that we shall obtain our licences for them to continue in service after two years?

I consider that the Budget proposals are not reasonably possible, if the road haulage industry is to continue to beOf service to the country, and to the public.

Mr. G. H. Marshall, Yorkshire Area.

THE Chancellor's Budget proposals regarding extra taxes

on lorries, oil fuel and lubricatiug oils have, been a bitter blow to the road-haulage industry. The general consensus of opinion in _thia district is, tliat instead of increased taxes ono-:tki-eind.psfiy 'the Chatir*-11or-shoilld have seen his Way

clear to make a reduction in the 'taxes. Apparently he. caunot realize what the many restrictions And heavy taxes already in being are doing to force a large number of men off the road.

The increased taxation, especially on oil-engined lorries, will be a hard blow to the manufacturer of this type of vehicle,. and will, in effect, go a long way towards stifling this new branch in its infancy.

The proposal to license lorries appears to meet with the approval of the road-haulage industry, providing it does not restrict the haulier to certain routes. If it be meted out in a fair and unbiased manner, -in accordance with the recommendations of the Road Haulage Assoeiation, it should be a great help, in preventing incompetent and undesirable firms from starting iii the industry.

The 'unfair methods adopted by the Government leaVe us with the impression that, by hook or by crook, it intends to force the majority of haulagecontractors off the road and to leave a clear field for the 'railway to gain the monopoly. • Mr. J. Blaney, Northern Area.

SHOULD the present proposals of taxation and the regula tions of the Road and Rail Traffic Bill be enforced upon us, I am sure they will handicap the industry. The taxes and regulations proposed are unreasonable and I hope will be considerably modified before they are, made absolute. The new taxation will certainly hit manufacturers of new vehicles and prove a setback to improving the efficient transport of goods by road.

Once the proposed regulations are law, the nubile and traders will find that they may once again be in the hands of those who dictated to there before the road-haulage industry gave them that reliable and efficient ,serviee they are at present enjoying.


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