Helping the Trader
Page 44
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WHEN the road hauliers get together at Blackpool next week, the chief subject of conversation is bound to be the Transport Bill. An association conference, at which the chairman tries to find time for as many speakers as possible, while keeping one anxious eye on the clock and the other on the social programme, is not the best setting for the hammering-out of a complete policy. The opportunity is favourable, however, for ventilating opinions and putting forward suggestions as to future action.
It is no secret that there are widely divided opinions among hauliers. To the outside world this seems strange, as the Transport Bill promises denationalization and liberty, to whose twin image the hauliers have made votive offerings ever since 1947. Only a year ago the two aims were embodied in a statement of policy issued by the Road Haulage Association. In due course, the Government published its White Paper and then the Bill. These documents differed from the association's statement in certain particulars, but to the public the resemblances were more striking. The Bill was generally, thought to be something on which the hauliers could congratulate themselves.
Few hauliers would concur exactly in the opinion of the public. Some of them, probably the minority, would like the association to abjure its declared policy and limit its aims to the abolition of the 25-mile limit. Others, by far the more numerous, stick exactly to the line laid down a year ago and Consider the Government's deviations from it almost as a betrayal. They want the mileage restriction to go first; they want a screening system for purchasers of transport units; and they abominate the levy.
Opposition to Levy
Their views will no doubt be put over forcibly at Blackpool. It is to be hoped the discussion is not limited entirely to opinions on what the Bill should be. The last word on this subject rests with Parliament, and hauliers must realize that they cannot hope unaided to enforce major changes in the Bill. The most likely section for modification is that dealing with the levy, which has the opposition of practically the whole of trade and industry. Criticism of the delay in abolishing the 25-mile limit and of the system of selling transport units comes from the hauliers alone.
Certainly the hauliers should. continue to press their views upon the Government, the Minister of Transport, Lord Leathers and anybody else who is willing to give them a hearing. At the same time, they must be realists and assume that an Act like the Transport Bill will be on the statute book in a few months' time. Opposition to the Bill as a whole is a luxury they cannot afford. It would lose them the support of the Government without winning them the protection of the Socialists. Politics, alas! must be taken into account. Should the hauliers reject the Bill they would be completely isolated, a nagging reminder to the Conservatives of an unexpected humiliation.
Acceptance of the Bill in principle should at least enable the hauliers to be more open in their objections to certain parts of it. As it is, painfully aware of their dilemma and wishing to hide it from the world, the hauliers bury their heads in the sand like the fabled ostrich, not realizing that the gesture makes other parts A34 of the anatomy more prominent than ever and more vulnerable to a malicious kick. If they could bring themselves to look at the situation calmly, they would see that their best policy is to plan well ahead for the period after the Bill has been passed.
This will help to allay the fears of some sections of the public as to the effect of the Bill. There is a danger that trade and industry, profoundly disturbed by what they regard as the almost flippant treatment of the transport problem in the Government's Bill, will not giveit their support and will be particularly critical of any failure to provide adequate service during the interim period before denationalization has been concluded. Their fears, intensified by what looks like the dismay of the hauliers, would be to some extent allayed if the hauliers expressed their confidence and willingness to make a good job of a bad Bill.
A step in the right direction was the dispatch of a questionnaire asking members of the R.H.A. to what extent they would be prepared to buy transport units. Better use could have been made of the results by giving them wider publicity among traders.. In fact, Certain preliminary figures were given, but so far nothing more has been Made known. As a result, the opponents of the Bill can allege -plausiblythat the sponsors regard the figures as, unsatisfactory and are suppressing them.
Unknown Lineaments Even the figures that have been published seem to support the vievi, that, given anything like1 suitable terms, established hauliers will be willing to take oveett good deal of the organization of the Road Haulage Executive. To many traders this should be good news. The lineaments of the hauliers-yet-to-be are unknown, and, if conjured up, they tend toassume the shapes that traders most dislike. .
Trade and industry would also be pleased to hear of plans to help them overcome any possible difficulties in the changeover period. It should not be difficult for the R.H.A. to sponsor a suitable organization. I have in mind the setting up of bureaux to help any trader in temporary difficulty because-the R.H.E. is no longer available. The association's area offices, possibly supplemented by its clearing house and group members, should be sufficient for the purpose. It would chiefly be necessary to announce that the servicewould be provided, and to make sure that -all traders-knew of it. . 'Nobody knows better than the haulier how' to turn a situation to his 'advantage. The 1933 Act certainly restricted him, but he rapidly learned to use it as a barrier 'behind which he was able to build up_a protperous business. When nationalization came, he grudgingly delivered up his vehicles to the Ivory Tower, but fought hard for the best price and often found ways and means of carrying on under a different guise with the business he had -sold. If things go according to the Government's plan, he will soon be calling again for the empties.
All through the piece he has had the general goodwill of trade and industry. This he will also have in the future if he -makes it his set and open policy to help the trader overcome any problems that may be posed by the new Bill.