Let's Have the Truth, Not Whispers!
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THE public is now being brainwashed by the medium
of the Press, by certain misguided notaries who, by public speaking, are trying to present the road transport industry as a menace, to society. I do not think we as hatiliers realize how serious this matter is. It is about time that our organizations took steps to counter this, by presenting the facts to the public at large, and not by small comments in trade journals.
As a member of the R.H.A. (my views on this matter have already been voiced), I am dismayed that the lead should come from manufacturers. Would some sensible, well-informed notary of our industry place before. the public the true facts and organize counter-publicity?
Is it not true that our tax contribution is one of the greatest to the new roads, and are we not one of the prime leaders in keeping the cost of living down, do we not deliver the goods quicker and more economically than any other form of transport? Is it true that every commercial vehicle on the roads is a monster, driven by demons, belching fire and smoke, charging down the roads without brakes, in dangerous condition, with a 20-ton load on a 10-tonner? My Lords, please note! This is the image being presented and believed. Is there another reason for this outburst, I wonder? Wake up someone, and 1et7s have the truth nationally reported and NO whispers, please.
R. E. Nixon Ltd., R. E. NixoN.
• Lower. Whitley, Lancs.
Road Transport Campaign
THE current campaign against road transport which is
being powerfully supported has caused much comment from both manufacturers and operators and as a result, we see, it has been suggested by The Commercial Motor that the industry should form a Fighting Committee.
We at Scammells unhesitatingly support this idea and gladly offer our publicity services to any such body.
Scammell Lorries Ltd., P. F. WOOD, Watford. Publicity Manager.
Licence Renewal Problems
EARLY in December, sometirnes in midor late Novem-1—ther, a charming character rings me up from the local taxation office. The purpose of the telephone call is to seek my co-operation in the matter of renewal of road fund licences at the end of the year. In view of the problem arising from the operation of the Road Vehicles (Period of Licensing) Order, 1960, which limits the licensing of vehicles to periods of four and 12 months, I am amazed that the former end-of-year build-up of demand still exists. Evidently it does, or why„. else should I be approached on November 23, 1962, regarding the early submission of My renewals for next year? Yet, I cannot help wondering if somebody might in colloquial language "lie having me on ”.
Some time ago I tried to keep a common renewal date for all my vehicles, but since the above order came into B40
force any vehicles acquired must be licensed for eithe of the two periods from the date of first licensing, i.e. four months or 12 months. My help has regularly been solicited at the year's end, and so, I suspect, has the cooperation of thousands of fellow operators, but as fox any reciprocal help—Oh dear, no! No variations have been permitted, so that even by juggling with the period of four months it is in many cases not passible to achieve a position where owners are able to re-licence their fleets on a common date. In my own case the relative figures are as follows:—
Total licences, 20.
Still renewable at end of year, eight.
Renewable at different dates, 12.
I wonder if officialdom realizes the extra work and inconvenience which has been caused by the present system of renewal? Cannot we have a common renewal date without completely disorganizing the status quo?
I am pleased to see that the British Road Federation has been considering this problem, for unquestionably some operators, and also traders, are being placed in a difficult situation because of the present unsatisfactory arrangements. I believe the Federation recently reached the stage where it has agreed that representations should be made with the aim of obtaining permission for fleet owners tc again have the option of a common renewal date fot licences. May the Federation efforts be successful—and soon.
Southend-on-Sea, Essex. NIGEL BREEZE.
[The British Road Federation confirm that they are indeed making representations to the Ministry of Transport in an effort to get permission for operators to have the option of common renewal dates for their vehicles. Earlier this yeas the Traders Road Transport Association asked for a similat easing of the licensing regulations but the Ministry was unable to make any concession; the main objection lay in the difficulty of drawing up a scheme without prejudicing the whole conception of spreading the load on taxation offices and the Association reluctantly decided not to press the matter further at that time.—ED.]
Service Black List
AATE were interested to see the letter from R. Marshall " of Auto Services, regarding the repairs and breakdown black list.
We have been in the same position as your correspondent, mainly because we never refuse a Dodge truck operator, whether he be from Brighton or Inverness, should he break down in our area. The price of giving such service is fast becoming uneconomical. We therefore welcome Mr. Marshall's suggestion of the black list of non-paying operators.
Would it not be possible for all the London area repairers to establish a small bureau on the lines of the Finance Companies H.P.I.? We would be willing to devote some time, together with other repairers, to organize some such scheme.
Campbell, Symonds and Co. Ltd.,
Wembley. D. E. ALLEN,
Works Manager, Commercial Vehicle Section.