The Square Deal Last week the representatives of the road
hauliers and the railway companies reached agreement in their discussion of the issues raised by the railways' demand for a "square deal." The essence of the agreement is that the road hauliers will withdraw their objections to the railways' demand to be released from existing restrictions ; in return, for the next two years the railways will not oppose applications by owners of " A " and " B " road-haulage licences for renewal of existing licences or an increase in the number of their vehicles. In that time, the road industry is to set its house in order and evolve a rate-structure which can be brought into relation with the railway charges. To have reached agreement is much to the credit of both parties to 1 he dis- c:ssions ; and it will certainly assist the Road Transport Advisory Council in reaching a decision on the railways' demands. The present agreement has the advantage of strengthening the tendency to amalgamation in the road industry and thus to co-ordination of transport. There are many, however, who believe that the powers the road industry will require to build up a rate-structure, and the increased liberty from statutory restrictions the railways demand, can only be granted if accompanied by a greater measure of public control.
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