Grouping : Merger Completed
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WITH the amalgamation of the Road Vic Haulage Association and the National Association of Road Transport Groups, the fostering of groups formerly affiliated to the N.A.R.T.G. has been taken over by the National Traffic Co-ordination Group of the R.H.A. This is in effect a permanent conference and is not a trading organization.
Representatives of about 30 groups attended the inaugural meeting of the N.T.C.G. Mr. H. J. Bedworth, of Birmingham. was elected chairman, and Mr. R. G. Crowther, a vice-chairman of the R.H.A.. was appointed vicechairman. Operators who wish to set up new groups will be invited to attend the next meeting.
The R.H.A. national council has laid down the broad lines of organization. Each group will be a limited-liability company, through which a member will be able to dispose of his surplus traffic. Each member will have one vote, irrespective of the size of his shareholding. Holding companies and subsidiaries will be treated as one con
cern. The cost of a share will be kept as low as possible.
A subscription will be paid to the R.H.A. to meet secretarial and other expenses. Members of a group will continue to pay their subscriptions as ordinary • members of the • R.H.A. Membership of the Association is the sole qualification for membership of a group.
Centres will be provided for the interchange of traffic. Fair rates of commission will be agreed, sufficient to cover working expenses and ensure financial stability, but will not exceed 10 per cent.
One of the advantages of grouping. stressed by the R.H.A.. is that, in many instances, a haulier who is restricted to a radius of 25 miles will be able to arrange for the carriage of traffic up to twice that distance from his base, by co-operating with other hauliers whose businesses are on the border of his own restricted area. Grouping will not deprive hauliers of complete control of their own businesses.