War-time Help for the ScOts Haulier
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Brief Survey of the Activities of the Scottish Carriers" and Haulage Contractors' Association as Reviewed by its Secretary, Mr. Hamish MacDougall
SINCE pre-war days, when the main ).--)problem of the haulier was, with the assistance of his Association, to steer a satisfactory course through Traffic Courts, road-transport matters have changed. The associations have realized that they must meet the growing need for specialists in the industry. Not. the least of these elrganizations is the Scottish Carriers' and Haulage Contractors' Association, which has met this demand effectively. From being a semi-advisory Association, it has now become an active advice bureau and members' pleader. That the members appreciate this is reflected in the number of inquiries and " cases " which have to be dealt with by the Association officials. They run into hundreds each year. Let us examine some of this work.
From time to time the Association, in a general way, advises, its members in the form of bulletins giving, in coherent and understandable language, the multifarious regatations and instructions which emanate from Government departments. This is often amplified in general correspondence and interviews.
Perhaps the greatest amount of work has been done not only for employers but for employees, in applications and representations for deferment. Contacts have been made with the various offices of the Ministry of Labour and National Service, in Scotland, and close and careful watch made on the trend of legislation affecting labour. Advice has been given to hundreds of members on how they, and their men, should register; complete and "to the point" application forms have been lodged with the Ministry, and liaison established between the Man Power Boards and the .officials. of the organization. All this has resulted in a considerable amount of work, as most of the deferment applications have been handled through the Association offices. This has given :them a hall-mark.
Tn the matter of the economic and fair issue of petrol, the Association has not been idle, as many of its directors are Sub-District Managers in the full sense of the word; they do not pass their rights to a Traffic Officer or District Transport Officer, but actually execute the duties for which they were appointed. Few complaints have been received from areas where these men, are conscientiously carrying out their, work. Where, however, complaints have been made, the matter has been dealt, with by the Association, either direct ,with the Ministry of War Transport, or has been submitted to the A.R.O. London, in order that it ma.y ftirther pursue the matter.. Petrol for service and management cars has not always been available, but where real cases of hardship have existed they have been submitted add dealt with by the ASsociation.
The many complications affecting licences for new vehicles, transfer of businesses, and general variation of licences, have also been handled satisfactorily.
Another phase of the Association's activities was in the matter of livestock rate i for the Ministry of War
Transport, when its officials obtained considerable concessions for the livestock operators. in Scotland, and obtained rates that were both 'economic and reasonable. Other duties have included arranging for return. loads (before the setting up of the Road Haulage Branch), finding work for various hauliers, passing surplus work from one haulier to another, fixing prices and, generally, as the Association says in its slogan, " Doing every,thing but driving vehicles."
Variohs test cases have been sabmated to the Courts for decision, insurances are arranged for members and disputes settled between hauliers and their hire-purchase companies.
The time rates, now in operation by the Association, have been adopted from those given in "The Commercial Motor" Tables of Operating Costs, and are ai follow:— All this work could not have been achieved without the co-operation of all the directors, members and officials of the Association, at its head .office and branches in Aberdeen and Ayrshire.
The Association looks forward to the amalgamation of all the associations, as it will mean an extension of benefits to members throughout the whole of Britain. Service cements the link between the leaders and the hauliers, and ensures a strong and virile Association to oppose any further encroach ment on their privileges, •