What If the Organization By Report Fails? " Tantalus "
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Although Good Progress Is Being Made and Several Large and Important Bodies Have. Approved the R.T .0.J . Conference Report, Unanimity Has Not Yet Been Attained
ROM decisions already announced, it is apparent that the S.J.C. Federation proposals have not hadl an easy passage through what might be described as the " committee stage." This is evident from accounts of the .recent conference of representatives of provincial associations, which adopted unanimously a resolution rejecting the Report of the R.T.O.J, Conference. It should be noted that the delegates came from the North of England and Midland associations, all of which are affiliate.d to the National Road Transport Employers' Federation—a body which was represented at the R.T.O.J. Conference. It will be observed, then, that whilst the " parent " approved the Report the " children" rejected it; but the latter stated conditions under which a reconciliation could be effected. • In the event of failure to reach some such agreement, an awkward position would arise. In such circumstances what would be the attitude of the parent body, torn—as it would be—between two loyalties, namely, the Confaence on the one hand and the affiliated associations on the other? Would it maintain its allegiance to the R.T.O.j: Conference and surrender the support of its constituent members, or would it act in a contrary manner?
Unanimity was not expected by even the most optimistic individual, but it was not anticipated that ;there would be opposition of a serious nature. The decision arrived at by The provincial associations is significant, therefore, and should not be treated lightly. In fact, the well-known saying, " What Lancashire thinks' to-day London says to-morrow" might aptly be applied in this respect. On the credit side we must turrs to the A.R.O., which body, It is reported, has accepted the Report unanimously. as also has the Scottish Carriers and Haulage Contractors
Association. On the other hand, the decision of the C.M.U.A. and the Scottish C.M.U.A. has not been. Made known up to the time of writing. Whether the delay of these two organizations in making known their decisions forebodes difficulties is hot known. It is hoped, however, that in respect of each of the associations the decision reached will be announced at an early. date. So Only .can the road-haulage industry become possessed of knowledge of the; pOsition as a whole and forth its judgment accordingly. •
A Two-thirds Majority Vote Should be Obtained
From the foregoing a forecast of the ultimate decisions of the constituent .bodies is not possible at this stage. NVhere such decisions are made known, it is hoped that the R.T.O.J. Conference will respond to previous appeals that there should lae no delay in announcing the final acceptances. The position Affords scope for conjecture along certain lines, as, for instance, the probable policy of the Conference in the event of the scheme being accepted by a ,minority vote. Under such conditions would the Conference decide to put the scheme into operation, despite the fact that the claim respecting representation of the roadhaulage industry would be at least partially shattered. Unless there be at least a two-thirds majority vote in favour of the proposals, the sponsors must give very serious cohsideration to the matter. It is hoped that no such contingency will arise. But, bearing in mind the 'fact that the question must be decided by the road-haulage industry —with its record of internal friction and dissension—anything might happen. 'Few people weuld have the courage to prophesy in such circumstances.
[Since this article was written, the C.M.U.A. has announced that its National Council, after considering the observations Submitted by divisional and area committees and by 'individual ,members, has unanimously • approved in principle the proposals .outlined in the 'Conference Report. At the sadae..time, it has indicated the lines on .which these proposals might be inither developed.—En.] • In connection with the general position of representation as it is to-day; the haulier has three Choices, viz. :-(1) The Report of the R.T.O.J. Conference.
(2) The Hauliers Mutual Federation. .•
(3) To retain the present system._ ,
The Report was accorded a .warm welcome by the Technical Press, which urged the indiistr o aceept the proposak contained therein. • The details of -these firoposals Should he well known, as they were made alienable to every haulier, in the form of a brochure published by the Cooference, as well as by long résumés in the Press. Therefore, there can be neither-complaint nor criticism by members of the industry on the grounds that they were kept in. the dark. Further, all interested parties have had ample time for thoughtful study and for forming a considered opinion.
Future of Hauliers' Mutual Federation Dependent on Report ?
As for the second choice, the H.M.F. received considerable publicity when first launched. Through the medium of meetings hauliers have learned the aims and objects of the Federation. It would appear that substantial support for the cause has been forthcoming from certain areas, whilst in others the reception has been lukewarm. Nevertheless, the promoters continue their activities with coin, mendable tenacity and pourage. • It may be that the destiny of the movement will be decided by the ultimale fate of. the R.T.O.J. Conference. Time alone can tell.
.Regarding the third choice, only the extremely .bigoted section of the industry will agree that the present position of representation is satisfactory and that a change in the state Of affairs is undesirable or unnecessary. The very fact of the creation of the R.T.O.J. Conference and the launching-Of the H.M,F. provides sufficient proof to-contradict any such contention. _
If the proposals of the Conference be dot accepted and the H.M.F. does not become sufficiently strong te represent the industry, how is it possible to effect a change in the present system—a change which must bring about complete confidence. and goodwill between the industry and its representative? Reviewing the events of the Past 12 month, the possibility of achievement in this direction is 'indeed -remote. It presents a particularly difficult problem, .because personalities and the huinaia 'element are involved. Once. confidence has been displaced. it Cannot be regained; just as it is not possible to reinfuse life into something which is dead. It. simply cannot be done.
'There is yet another way of dealing• with the matter, which would be fin the M.O.W.T. to actS independently. This might occur in the event of the industry being unable to agreeas to the elected body: In such circumstances the Ministry would have :a sound defence, In that the industry had failed to provide a United front and was unable, there fore, to speak authoritatively.
It is for the members oi. the road-haulage industry—and that means the individaal decide which of the three schemes should be accepted. They should make up their minds decisiVely, one way or the other; and, having done so, they should pursue their course unffinchingly and with determination,