Unity—the Result of Six Years' Effort
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UTNITY in the road-transport industry—for some years one of the chief aims of The Commercial Motor —has been achieved, in the decisions of Associated Road Operators and the Commercial Motor Users Association to amalgamate. This announcement was made on Wednesday evening of last week and appeared in last week's issue of this paper.
This decision, even if it be somewhat overdue, is particularly gratifying to The Commercial Motor, which has played a direct and leading part in the unity movement for many years. About six years ago we commissioned Mr. E. B. Hutchinson to carry out an investigation of conditions in the road-haulage industry and to suggest means for improving them.
Co-operation in Embryo.
Shortly afterwards, the way to national co-operation was paved by the Editor of this paper, who held a. luncheon, to which the leaders of the industry were invited. As the result of the opportunity. for discussion which was thus afforded, it was decided to farm the Long Distance Road Haulage Committee of Enquiry. This step was taken in May, 1930, and was necessitated by the fact that no representative body of hauliers existed to give evidence before the Royal Commission on Transport.
Handicapped on all sides by apathy within the industry itself, but backed to the hilt by The Commercial Motor, that committee did sterling work. In 1931, the Long Distance Road Haulage Committee developed into the Long Distance Road Haulage Association, which , was formed on February 10. After about a year of operation, the L.D.R.H.A, widened its sphere of activity by linking up with the Short Distance Hauliers Alliance, a new organization being formed in April, 1932, under the title . of the Road Haulage Association.
Too Many Associations.
The, meteoric rise to influence of that body is now a matter of history. As time passed, however, it became obvious that there were too many associations and the great push in support of the unity movement commenced.
About 18 months ago, negotiations were opened with a view to complete amalgamation between the R.H.A., the Commercial Motor Users Association, which was formed in 1903, and the Motor Hirers and Coach Services Association, which had behind it a record of useful work dating from 1921. Matters reached an advanced stage and obstacles were overcome.
It was not, however, possible for all three organizations to see eye to eye on on or two outstanding points, and the negotiations, so far as they concerned the C.M.U.A„ broke down in May last. The R.H.A. and M,H.C.S.A., nevertheless, decided to combine, and sank their separate identities in the A.R.O., which was officially registered on July 12, 1935.
In effect, the great fusion of interests between A.R.O. and the C.M.U.A. has developed from the initiative taken, in 1930, by The Commercial Motor.
Power in Yorkshire.
The new body will, it is hoped, have an initial membership of about 17,500. In Yorkshire alone, where the local branch of A.R,O. (incorporating Yorkshire Motor Coach Owners) has just amalgamated with the Yorkshire Stage Carriage Operators Association, the new boclY will secure a membership of several thou sands. A.R.O. will, on its own account, we understand, provide some 2,800 members in Yorkshire, Many details have yet to be settled, notably those of appointments. Mr. F. G. Bristow, general secretary of the C.M.U.A., will continue in that office, which he has held for so long. It also seems likely that no change will be made in the arrangements for Col, Arthur Jerrett to succeed Major R. A. B. Smith as president of the C.M.U.A. as from March 25.
The Association's annual luncheon will be held on that date, and it is hoped that it will eclipse all previous events. In view of the fact that this year's annual luncheon will be the most important in the Association's history—never before has an event been staged representative of so large a membership—it behoves all concerned to make it a vast success.
In an interview on Tuesday, Major Smith and Major J. B. Elliott, chairman of A.R.O., explained the events which led up to the merger agreement. It was Major Elliott,• we learned, who took the initiative in reopening negotiations.
A negotiating joint committee was formed, comprising Messrs. W. A. Winson, J. France and W. E. Macve, of the C.M.U.A., and Messrs. J. S. Nicholl, F. A. Flin and F. F. Fowler, of A.R.O., with Major Smith and Major Elliott acting ex officio,
It was learned that the C.M.U.A. offered to change its title:: but A.R.O, disagreed with this proposal.
A Liaison Committee.
Major Smith stated that the two bodies would work separately for a few months; until a system or organization, incorporating the good points of both associations, was evolved. In the meantime, it is proposed to set up a liaison committee to settle questions of policy, but the councils of the two bodies will soon be sitting at the same table.
It is expected that questions relating to local divisions, and areas will be settled largely in those districts, subject to ratification from headquarters.
. The new Association would, said Major Smith, do more for members' individually. The C.M.U.A. must undertake voluntary reorganization of the industry from within, to avoid the possibility of further Parliamen tary interference. It must also be something of a disciplinary body.
It was stated that an important position will be occupied by Mr. R. W. Sewill, national director of A.R.O.
An End To Injustices.
The past year has witnessed redoubled activity on the part of the two national organizations to improve their service to members and to widen their influence. Now that unity has finally been achieved and the spur of rivalry removed, there must be no remission of effort. Indeed, with such power behind it, the C.M.U.A. should still further increase its efforts to draw in the recalcitrants and to wipe out the injustices under which the industry— through its earlier state of disorganization—is now suffering.