Heads I Win
Page 21
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ROAD transport breeds tine, resounding nouns whenever attention is turned (by itself or by outsiders) to its organization. Many, such as " integration ", " nationalization " or ." co-ordination ", have become unpleasantly tainted because they connote restrictive control and political dogma. Now a new noun is implanted on road transport; co-operation ". Apart from its dictionary meaning, the word has in this case a pensive implication; the hope that co-operation will ward off the evils of nationalization if the Socialists are returned to power.
This word co-operation is a coin with two faces, so far as road hauliers are concerned. Both faces promise good, so it is a case of " heads I win, tails you lose for the industry.
One face of co-operation is that reported elsewhere in this issue as discussed by the secretary-general and a national vice-chairman of the Road Haulage Association. This meaning of the word connotes a form of co-partnership between private hauliers, British Road Services and British Railways. Certainly this avenue should be fully explored and benefit derived from it wherever possible; but it is no panacea. As Mr. A. R. Butt (the R.H.A. national vice-chairman referred to) said: " Co-operation is not necessarily in the interests of bigger and better profits ".
The other face of the coin is co-operation between private hauliers. Here, without doubt, is where a much more tangible return can be seen for individual operators. The proposals of the R.H.A. on this score will be awaited with great interest. This is the side of the coin which could mean a stronger, more balanced position for everyone.