The Future of the Associations
Page 14
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THE possibility of the nationalization of at least a large section of the haulage industry must be causing cohsiderable perturbation arrion0 the associations representing this side of the road transport indtistry. If_ the 'whole of the haulage interests were to be acquired, there.would obviously be no need for the Road Haulage Association or any similar body. If, on the other hand, only those fleets, or seCtions of fleets, devoted to long-distance operation were to be so_ treated, then there would -still be a considerable membership, or potential membership, amongst the medium or short-distance users. In any case, however, the asSociations tnay have to face the possibility of a considerable loss of membership a_nd, consequently, of their revenue. _ Similar remarks, dependent uPon the extent of any system of nationalization, apply to all those bodies concerned with the passenger road trans-pOrt sphere, including the municipal contingent.
It may be that, following the principles in the report to be placed before the T.U.C,., ancillary operators may be left comparatively free. In these circumstances, the Traders Road Transport Association would be practically unaffected, and, in fact, n an almost enviable position. It would certainly not have to worry quite so much about thleats of encroachment from individual haulage interests, but would have to concern itself with the matter of retaining a reasonable degree of freedom for its members. There might, of course, be increased competition arriongst the short-distance haulage people, but they w,puld no doubt play for safety and not be inclined to focus undesirable attention upon themselves by stirring up any trouble with the ancillary, users.