The R.H.A.'s Views
Page 71
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COMMENTING on the Rochdale Committee report, the secretarygeneral of the Road Haulage Association, Mr. G. K. Newman, told The Commercial Motor this week that he considered the Committee had shown a commendable grasp of an extremely complicated problem.
" They have found it necessary to cover a wide field and to consult a large number of interests, in spite of which it is evident that they have given fair and detailed consideration to the recommendations that they received from this Association," said Mr. Newman.
"A major feature of the report is the unequivocal recognition of the importance of road transport and of the pressing need to provide adequate approach roads to the docks and ports in addition to adequate roads, parking space and other facilities within the docks.
"Some space in the report is devoted to the urgent problem of the increasing delays experienced by road vehicles. The Committee go so far as to suggest serious consideration by road operators of the formulation of a system of demurrage charges to penalize traders who involve lorries in delay. The suggestion is one that deserves careful consideration, particularly during the coming National Productivity Year when it is hoped that trade and industry generally will come to realize the economies that can be achieved by the quicker turnround of road vehicles.
" In their proposals for setting up a National Ports Authority the Rochdale Committee are at some pains to ensure that the Authority should be impartial and should not include representatives of sectional or regional interests, although the members would be expected to have in average background of experience in industry, including inland transport. If this particular recommendation is accepted and the new Authority is created. it is hoped that its membership so far as transport is concerned will reflect the importance and the increasing predominance of road transport."