All for One: One for All
Page 31
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Many of Our Readers Will Remember This Contributor in His Pre-war Capacity as a Successful Road Transport and Licensing Consultant
By Major E. H. B. Palmer,
O.B.E. THOSE of us who wish well of road transport will appreciate the advent of the National Road Transport Federation as a step in the right direction.
Personally, I interpret it as mobilizing a united front against all comers, and I sincerely trust that it will not only dissipate the fast-gathering clouds that threaten us with nationalization, but will, also, unseat once and for all those opportunists who attempt to ride the storm to their own ends.
Before, however, we settle ourselves comfortably behind the lines to watch the battle between private enterprise and monopoly with or without nationalization, would we not be wise to examine closely the component parts of this our fighting machine, and satisfy ourselves of their quality and ability?
In other words, my intention here and now is to submit that which I trust will be accepted as a little helpful criticism for the good of the cause.
Trade associations have their difficulties, not the least of which is the question of membership. This question resolves itself into two parts, or, in other words, who should be admitted and who should not.
The complete answer appears to be that no one should be admitted to a trade association who is not directly an operator in that trade.
Those In and Out of Trade Associations Now, membership cannot he enforced. This means that whilst all the good little boys play happily together, holding very fast indeed to each other's clean little hands—outside and equally happily, the rough and rude little boys do as they please.
To get over this I suggest that the title of my article be accepted and observed in detail as the motto for every good association. Involved in this suggestion are certain points so easily overlooked.
It seems to me, for example, that no trade association should attempt to " dragoon " members into its conception of discipline as long as the privileges of other members, as members, are not interfered with. That sort of thing may be tolerated while the renewal of a subscription is not in immediate anticipation. It must be remembered that the acceptance of a subscription does not imply that a dictatorship may be imposed. When you come to think of it, an association is no better than the rest of us. It simply cannot exist on faith and promises. Its life's blood is comprised of subscriptions, and they come straight out of the pocket of the private member, whoever he may be. Salaried officials would do well to mark those last four words.
In a democratic age, when " I am as good as you," a member is a member, whether he owns and drives one truck or directs the operation of a hundred.
Associations are warned, in their own interests and with all the good will in the world, that they must be human and flexible, and that they must avoid, like the plague, the muscle-binding influences of the legal and financial mind.
Leaving all this to be duly digested. I turn my thoughts to another point. For some time now it has been obvious that the C.M.U.A. and the A.R.O., both admirable institutions, are in competition, one with the other, for members. Whilst fully appreciating the fact that members mean money and money spells power, does this not appear to you as waste of effort? A line of demarcation should be possible, and the suggestion is that, wherefore the C.M.U.A. might reasonably limit its efforts to the needs of the private carrier, the remainder could find a happy home beneath the motherly crinoline of the A.R.O. [This will be the case under the new constitution. The Road Haulage Association will have only A and B haulier members, and the Traders' Road Transport Association the ancillary operators.—En.] • " What about those who °pirate vehicles under A, V and C licences " comes the inevitable query. Well, as it happens, my answer to that one brings me to my next point.
A dual role is unfortunate in any walk of life, and there is no reason to make the operation of commercial motor vehicles an exception.
I maintain, in any case, that the " limited " carrier who operates under a B licence is an anomaly and that he is simply a legalized poacher in other people's coverts. Supposing, and my natural optimism does not really carry me so far, supposing that the foregoing escapes too harsh a criticism, I now suggest that the A.R.O. might overcome its natural hesitation and venture one step farther, by reorganizing itself into two parts, both under the one governing body. For the sake of definition, the "junior section" would apply to those operating less than, say, six vehicles, and the " senior section " would cover the remainder.
Naturally, each section would expect to enjoy equal representation in the council chamber, and should have the right to nominate in turn and alternately the chairman and his deputy.
In this way the small operator, with whom I am always in sympathy, would feel assured of a fair deal, and the strongest reason, perhaps, for his abstaining from membership would be removed.
Small Operators Formidable En Masse The small operator, or trader, in practically every sphere is the problem child and, as suct, he requires particular and sympathetic treatment. En masse he can and will prove, in the very near future, extremely formidable. This is no wishful thinking on my part, but a definite warning to those who ignore the writing on the wall.
Before concluding this article, it seems to me that a few remarks in relation to clearing houses or transport agencies might not be inappropriate.
In its place, and as a link betweendemand and supply, the bona fide clearing house or transport agency might well prove invaluable, but the operative words are " bona fide."
On the other hand, no representative of a clearing house, an agent or other kind of middle man, should be allowed membership of associations representing those with whom he is endeavouring to establish contacts.
There is no reason why clearing houses should not form their own association, which, in their interests, ssould contact other bodies through the National Road Transport Federation, which, incidentally, has my heartiest good wishes for the coming year. [Most of the reputable clearing houses have associated themselves in the National Conference of Road Transport Clearing houses—En.]