Small Hauliers Must Not Despair
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They Total a Considerable Number and Possess Much Potential Strength Which, However, to be of Value Must be Properly Organized and Employed
By " Tantalus "
THANKS are due to Mr. G. L. Bottomley for his interesting article published in the issue of " The Commercial Motor " dated December 15, 1944, under the heading "Grouping Must Not Be Too Confined."
It is evident that Mr. Bottomley's conception of the position of those engaged in the road-transport industry represents a fairly accurate picture of the state of affairs existing. Particularly is this the case in respect of the smalland moderate-sized operators,. who constitute a section of the haulage community which is most vulnerable to attack and the future of which is in great danger. Yet, paradoxically, as a class they are very prone to rely upon others for information, for they are slow to take action on their own behalf. Instead of thinking and acting for themselves, they incline to become the sheep of the industry when they should, in 'fact, be shepherding themselves.
There is no real reason why this state of affairs should obtain, for these particular operators are by no means negligible so far as numbers are concerned, nor is their potential strength of small account. It may be, in some cases, that they are tied to large operators upon whom they are dependent for traffics, and that, in consequence, they suppress their own ideas and opinions lest their position might be prejudiced. In other instances, however, they just do not take the trouble to reason things out for themselves. They take the line of least resistance in order to escape responsibility. The view frequently expressed is: " We pay officials to look after our interests, so why should we worry? It is to save ourselves worry that we join an association and pay our subscriptions."
Many people, in various phases of life, have become equally easy victims of mental lethargy and have used similar forms of argument in defence of their own ineptitude. By no means is this state of mind confined merely to members of the industry.
This criticism is not intended to be unkind or derogatory. It is prompted, rather, by the genuine motive of trying to arouse the smalland moderate-sized hauliers and of engendering in them an apprepiation of the importance of self-help. However much may be done by others, there still remains the need for individual responsibility, and this cannot be evaded.
It Is of No Use to Sit on the Fence Hoping for Results As stated by Mr. Bottomley, no useful purpose will be served by sitting on the fence and awaiting results. The remark re-echoes sentiments which have been emphasized in these columns time and time again. On numerous occasions the small operators have been warned of their unsafe position and urged to do something to secure protection for the future. If they be not satisfied with the efforts of their representative body, then other means for adequate support must be found, as also the vigorous action so essential to success.
Honest and unt;iased opinion never fails to proclaim the justice of the claim of the small hauliers. The paying of verbal tributes, however, is not enough: neither is it sufficient to declare that these men must be retained as an integral part of the industry. They want—and should be given—an assurance, come what may, that their pre-war rights and status shall be restored, irrespective of sectional interests and influences.
Only the completely disinterested or cold-hearted person could read in the same issue the letter signed " Small Man," _Surrey, without being moved with compassion. This story, which unfolds the experience of a particular operator, relates 'how hundreds, like himself, have had most, and in some cases all, of their work taken away and handed to the big units. Whether these lost traffiCs ever will be recovered is extremely doubtful. It is more than likely—except in very exceptional cases—that they will remain a permanent possession of the larger units. This correspondent asks what is going to happen to him and his like at the expiry date of his agreement with the M.O.W.T. Are such men going to he discarded and ignored, leaving a freer field of operation for the big concerns, or will their future be assured? This is no idle question but pertinent, just and full of pathetic appeal. The small haulier in question reveals that he is 54 years of age. That being so, let it be assumed that the end of the war means not the end of hostilities in Europe but the close of the war with
Japan. Suppose that the Japanese war goes on for a further one or more years, after which control is continued for another year or More, by that time " Small Man" will be approaching 60 years of age. Assume that he is then cast on to the scrapheap as being redundant and unwanted. At that age it will be no easy task for him to 'obtain or find a new means for livelihood. After the war of 1914-18 a man was considered too old at 40, let alone 60. Will that be so again?
The Small Man Also Aiwa Have Justice and a Square Deal
In the meantime, the big units are being afforded the opportunity of becoming still bigger and richer. There is every justification for the fears and apprehensions which engulf the hearts of the small men and their dependants. It may be argued that the small hauliers constitute uneconomic units and are, therefore, industrially redundant. Assuming the submission to be correct—which, Of course, it is not—there still remains to be considered the strong force of the moral obligation in this matter. It must be remembered that these men are making a valuable contribution to the war machine and are doing so at the cost of financial sacrifice. Are they, then, not fully entitled to justice—not mercy—and to a square deal? Of course they are.
Reverting to Mr. Bottomley's article, in which he appears to be under the impression that the writer is in favour of the industry being thrown open to newcomers after the war, this is not correct. To avoid any confusion on this issue, it should be emphasized that not in any single instance has such a policy been advocated. Strong pleas, however, have repeatedly been made for the unqualified reinstatement of those members of the industry now serving with the Forces who express a wish to return.
As to future policy, the view has been expressed very forcibly that the number of vehicles -authorized pre-war by the licensing authorities should serve as the, basic figure when the industry is freed from control, additions being permitted in the case of 'special types of vehicle. Further, it is suggested that the pre-war 'Acts, Orders and Regula.tions would provide more than a sufficient measure of control for all practical purposes.
With regard to ex-Servicemen who may desire to enter the industry as newcomers, the " Evening News " dated December 20, 044, contained an interesting statement to the effect that in instances where men desire to become owners and set up their own haulage businesses the A.R.O. (in future the R.H.A.) will provide assistance free of charge. This marks a new Association feature, the development of which will be followed with close interest. It is to be hoped, however, that the needs of the present small hauliers an& their future will not be overshadowed, by this new activity.