OPINIONS and
Page 33
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UERIES
PROMOTE FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN A AND C OPERATORS
I FOLLOW with interest the varkius arguments regard" ing the relationship between A and C licensees. Strong arguments are put forward by both sides, but the fact remains that they are virtually enemies. This is a sad state of affairs. I am a C licensee and I don't like to feel that my relations with any other body are unfriendly, because this benefits neither party. A little explanation will often settle what may appear to be a big difficulty, and I believe that if we got closer together we should be able to understand each other and there would be better agreement.
This could be done by C licensees being welcomed into the haulage associations, or by the formation of a really • strong representative association of C licensees the committee of which could meet the A hauliers whenever required. I favour the first suggestion, but do let us try to end this bad feeling. H. F. SMITH, Director, Leicester. Kirby and West, Ltd.
HOW TRANSPORT WORKERS CAN HELP
Aan employer I fully agree with the view of your Leicester contributor, published in your issue dated June 18, that it would be in the best interests of the haulage industry for the employers' and workers' repre; sentatives to act together when matters of major policy are under discussion with the M.O.W.T.
I have reason to believe that I am right when I say that, from time to time, unofficial approaches have been made to the workers' representatives with a view to seeing if a " line-up " were possible. Unfortunately, as some of us see it, for the industry as a whole, no progress was made.. Not because those in close contact with the workers engaged in road industry failed to appreciate the advantages, but because the political side of the Labour Movement had declared itself in favour of nationalization.
The only way for progress to be made along the direction of mutual help, is for the workers, through their own channels, to let it be known to their leaders that they are of the opinion that, in the true interests of the industry, the existing deadlock, brought about by Mr. Herbert Morrison and his friends, must be bridged.
It is a safe bet that the employers' representatives would welcome co-operation. MEMBER A.R.O. Northampton.
A COMPARISON IN 'CO-OPERATION
MAY I express one or two thoughts on unity in the
Industry? Actions always speak louder than words. We hear the cry '• unity and equality," yet, what happens? By their recent behaviour and actions, some of those who call the loudest have welcomed ferther divisions in the ranks.
The accepted moral standards of behaviour on the ocean do not seem to apply to inland transport. The captain and officers take to the lifeboat last, and this without exception. In road-transport circles, the lesser fry are left to swim for it or. sink. The merry captain 4a„nd officers are safe in the lifeboat, and even take the rafts and spars to which other survivors are clinging.
With their profits guaranteed, so that no loss is sustained if their vehicles stand idle, they take the traffic from those who are left to battle against wind and tide. Do I hear it said that "Someone told them to behave like this "? This is no excuse. It 'is disgraceful that the less-fortunate members of the industry should, in 'the .interim period, practically be denuded of most of the decent traffic.
Again, when did the bigger members of our industry try for equality of treataent in it? They might well look to the Transport anacteneral Workers' Union to see if any Minister would dare to suggest to that body favoured treatment for some of its members and a mere pittance for their pals.
• As an outspoken Scot said recently. "Let us be honest with ourselves, we are all here for what we can get." There is good reason for dissention in our ranks. Hauliersmust wake up and realize what has happened, and what will happen. Let honesty, sincerity and good faith be our motto for the future.
J. ARNOLD KIRKBY, Blaby. Member, Hauliers' Mutual Federation.
HOW WILL OTHER MINISTRIES' FLEETS BE AFFECTED?
IHAVE before me " The Commercial Motor" of May 28, page 304, the paragraph dealing with hiring elder the M.O.W.T. Scheme. The words I wish to criticize .are as follow :—
" The M.O.W.T. intends to control all road cargo to be carried 60 miles or more, and it will not be permitted to go by any vehicle outside the Ministry's organization."
I feel that if this statement be true it will bring great relief and satisfastion to the industry generally, as, undoubtedly, if oneis to read the above correctly, they will assume that all of the road fleets operated by Ministries other than the M.O.W.T., such as M.A.P., Ministry of Supply, Ministry of Production,_ M.O.F., Ministry of Works and Planning, will cease to own and operate their fleets and hand to the M.O.W.T. all traffic now carried by them.
If this be so, it will be a great step forward and pass the work to the hauliers where it should have been placed in the first place, whether they are controlled or
not, WALTER F. FRENCH,
Managing Director, United Service Transport Co., Ltd.
London, S.W.9.
[We cannot quite understand Mr. French's use of the word " criticize " ; pertiaps he really meant " query." The fact is that the information contained in this paragraph came from a most authentic source, and it certainly would appear from it that, as has been stated, the M.O.W.T. will control all road cargo to be carried 60 miles-or more. It may be, however, that it will apply only, as stated in the second paragraph, to vehicles on contract to and not actually owned by the Ministries. For the, moment we shell have to leave this matter for reply by the PrI.O.W.T.—Eo.