Control of the Industry by the Industry
Page 20
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
By S. H. JARDINE,
Secretary A.R.O., Metropolitan Area IT is with a feeling of appreciation 1 that I read the fair criticism of my questionnaire by " S.T.R. ". in your issue of November 8. Supported by such an independent and unbiased mind as far as associations are concerned, it gives one hope that something will emerge from the endeavour which my colleagues and I are trying to get goifig on behalf of our vast industry. You will be interested to know that the questionnaire has met with an enthusiastic response, thus giving encouragement to take the next move in the campaign. What that move should be I nosuggest :—
Rank and File Must Come Into the Open
It may be felt that we are dissatisfied with our leaders. This is not the case, as we are :lastly proud of some of our leaders, but many of us feel that the time has arrived when the rank and file must come out into the open and not only ask, but demand, that those elected by the operators be allowed to speak for the industry, and not be overruled by those who do not know their job, or by red tape.
What would happen if the Ministry of Labour issued a decree that the 48-hour week was to be increased to, 54 without consulting the leaders of the trade unions. The answer is obvious, Well, -we have leaders, but many decrees are issued vitally affecting the road transport industry without any reference to them. For example, the final rates for Civil Defence hiring were made, • so I understand, without reference to the industry, despite the fact that several of us gave up many hours in the early days of the war in assisting the Ministry of Transport to arrive at a satisfactory interim rate.
Give Representative Operators a Mandate
If the leaders of our industry be too many, then let every association elect two of the finest operators they can find in their ranks, making six or eight in all, give them a mandate to press for the revision, stabilization and proper recognition of this vast industry, and then let every operator, honorary worker and paid official stand firm behind them. What they say goes. After all, we have a case, therefore let those who make up the industry freely elect these representatives by ballot and without nomina
tions, and prove the old saying that "It is never too late to mend."
With the greatest respect, I say in these days the necessity of referring back time after time to various committees before a decision can be arrived at is ruining our cause, and is a just and very good reason for appointing these representatives to " Go to it."
An Opportunity that Must Not Be Missed
As in the war, time is sot on our side, it must be now, and if the many operators of resource and initiative who have built up this vast industry over the past 25 years do not grasp the opportunity when road transport is such a terribly vital part of our national life to-day, that opportunity will pass, and whatever comes to us during and after the war, w.^. shall have no one to blame but ourselves.
For many years past those most able to lead us have struggled against tremendous odds, and through no fault of theirs have met with little success, and, therefore, I say, with the greatest confidence, that the time has arrived when those engaged in an industry which represents so much capital, and not red tape, must be allowed to control the industry.