Co-operation
Page 3
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CI 0-OPERATIVE working by hauliers received a very full discussion at this week's Road Haulage Association conference, as reported on pages 44-48 of this issue. Whatever results emerge from that discussion could be far-reaching. But there still remains in many operators' minds doubt as to whether it will ever really work. This is, basically, a dangerous frame of mind because it can so easily prohibit forward-thinking—which is an exercise the haulage industry must indulge in. The R.H.A. deserves commendation and support in this respect, for it is trying honestly to face a future in which many present tenets may have to be forgotten.
A story on page 5 of this issue is, therefore, of great interest both to hauliers and to their customers. Bradford and District Hauliers' Federation was formed only about a month ago. Already it has a membership of 36 operators whose combined vehicle strength represents nearly 90 per cent of those handling wool/textiles in the area.
Here is not only a new atiempt at co-operative working; but, more to the point, a very realistic attempt to obtain economic rates and to enforce discipline among members on this subject. The progress of Bradford and District Hauliers will be watched with very great interest. It could be that acceptance of greater responsibility in respect of charging, on the part of members, will point the way for other hauliers to achieve more realistic rates in their own special fields.