It is precisely this kind of effort which is required
to set trade going again. There is no question of a subsidy from the Government or of any Government intervention or extrava- gance. All the same, we must confess that we do not on principle like the proposal that there should be anything like an omnibus monopoly. Possibly it may be found that in the abnormal circumstances of to-day a proposal which normally would be unacceptable ought to be accepted. On the balance of advantages and disadvantages, Lord Ashfield's scheme, even as it stands, may turn out to be much too good to be rejected. The embargo on the " pirate " bus might stand only for a limited period. We know, however, that when once a monopoly has been allowed it is extremely difficult to get rid of it. We suggest that if it is really true, as Lord Ashfield implies, that the " small man " in the omnibus business enjoys advantages over the organized companies, which are very strictly ruled by the police, there is a case not for ruling out tho " small man " but for imposing exactly the same con- ditions upon all users of the road. For our part we have not noticed that the " pirate " is conspicuous on the roads. Where does he run ?
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