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"It's An Ill Wind •

7th October 1939, Page 17
7th October 1939
Page 17
Page 17, 7th October 1939 — "It's An Ill Wind •
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

)1 •

WHILST we do not, by the smallest fraction of a degree, veer from our firmly expressed conviction that all forms of road transport should be encouraged, so far as is possible, during the present state of emergency, and that long-distance road transport, in particular, must be allowed to take its part in the distribution of commodities, we do not share the apprehensions, voiced in some quarters, that the continued diversion of traffic to rail whenever that is practicable will result in ruin for the road-transport industry.

Road Transport Must Survive.

On the contrary, in the unlikely event of tile Ministry of Transport finding itself able to persist in its present attitude, the ultimate effect will be still further to enhance the reputation of our industry among the leaders of industry generally.

Road transport will benefit from such a state of affairs to an extent comparable with that which resulted from the past war, which, as everyone who is acquainted with the facts must agree, put road transport "on the map."

It is our belief that traders will be so exasperated with the delays, difficulties and inconveniences which they will and, indeed, already are experiencing whenever they are compelled to make use of the railways, that there will go up, at the termination of hostilities, a tremendous sigh of relief at the knowledge that at last they can turn to road hauliers again and once more enjoy the amenities of a form of transport which affords efficiency, punctuality and speed. They will value road transport the more as the result of their experiences of conditions which prevail when it is absent or, at the best, available only to a strictly limited extent. That is not to say that road transport will not, as heretofore and as at present, have to fight hard for its existence against the oppressive and dead hand of railminded officialdom. It will, and we are of opinion that those whose duty it has been, and will be, to wage that fight should keep their powder dry and their weapons keen, so that they will be ready to demand and obtain greater freedom in the future.

What we do believe is that there will be, on the part of trade and industry, a much greater willingness to support road transport than formerly.

Fair Deal Required Now.

The need for still continuing to press for a fair deal for road transport during the war arises from the fact that, failing such equitable treatment as that which.we urge, so many are likely to succumb to economic pressure and will thus not survive to share in the better times to come. That they should so suffer, having in mind the fact that most of them served throughout the war of 1914-18, and have built up their businesses during the parlous and difficult time of peace which has intervened between that one and this, would be pity beyond words to describe.

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Organisations: Ministry of Transport

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