A Vain Search
Page 28
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IN this issue, a well-informed observer examines the effects on transport of the past few years of Labour administration. In addressing himself to the question, "What has Socialism done for transport?" he has tried to free his mind from partisan feelings and to set down dispassionately the changes which have occurred since the Transport Act was passed in 1947. In vain has he searched for some material benefit which nationalization has conferred on society or on the industry.
The results of his contemplation are summarized in the words: "Although its proponents heralded nationalization as a notable step forward, it has not solved a single industrial problem. Least of all has it satisfied workers in the businesses taken over."
Indeed, all that the leaders of the Labour Party have achieved is the gratification of a vicious whim at prodigious expense to the public. The most vociferous supporters of the nationalization of rqad transport cannot claim that it has improved service to the public and to trade and industry, or that it has brought economies for the benefit of society.
All they can do is to try to excuse the failure of this expensive and ill-timed experiment by complaining that the remaining independent hauliers, confined within a radius of 25 miles, and Clicensees, in their unrestricted field of operation, have too much liberty. The only course they can suggest is to cramp still further the freedom of the subject to conduct his lawful business. That is the counsel of despair.
Britain desperately needs a policy of expansion in industry and with a suitable change of administration, road transport will be the first to benefit by it. Advantages to trade and industry will follow quickly. They will no longer suffer anxiety over the safe and speedy delivery of their products to consumers at home and to the ports for shipment overseas. The removal of the shackles from road transport will give much-needed moral stimulus to industry throughout the country.