Internal Dissension on Merger Plan
Page 59
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A HIGHLIGHT of the largely
attended annual supper, last week, of the Plymouth Sub-area of A.R.O. was the outspoken declaration of Mr. K. G. Foster, chairman of the Devon and Cornwall Area of the Association, that he absolutely disagreed with views put forward by the principal guest, Major the Hon. Eric Long. Mr. Foster strongly dissented from the opinion, expressed by Major Long, that A.R.O. was the "only pebble on the beach " and that there was no necessity to look elsewhere than at that organization, when emphasis was laid upon the desirability of the industry's being able to speak with a united voice.
Mr. Foster mentioned the C.M.U.A., the members of which, he said, had aims similar to their own, and he once more emphasized, in the plainest possible terms, that, in the opinion of Devon and Cornwall operators, a merger was a matter of urgency and the present time was opportune. He deprecated any personal feelings, between the officials of either Association, being allowed to stand in the way of bringing about such a desirable result.
Mr. Foster's remarks came somewhat as a bombshell, but the measure of the audible support which they were accorded was sufficient indication of the fact that he was interpreting the views of the majority of those present.
Major Long devoted the first part of his speech to a review of the transport position nationally. He issued a warning to the railway companies that road transport expected them to play the game with regard to the gentleman's agreement into which they had entered, and that any failure to keep those terms honourably would meet with the sternest reprisals.