Grouping Causes a Stir
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Prominent Members of the Industry are al an interest in Co-operative Grouping. Lost Taking What Will the Ministry bo ?
By E. B. Howes,
Chairman, A. Saunders and Son Co-operative . Group ; Vice-Chairman, H.M.F.
TH"E has been, during the past 10 months, a tremendous development in the road haulage industry, one which bids fair to out-rival the merger in its importance and at the same time be entirely outside, but not inimical to it I refer to the movement for the co-operative grouping of hauliers—a group or groups in each district. Quite naturally, as a pioneer of this movement (the Saunders (Harpenden) Group commenced to operate eight years ago), I have all along been in close touch with what has been going on, but even I was astonished at the• meeting of the National Conference of Road Transport Groups which took place at Derby a short time ago. There were over 40 people present, coming from all parts of this country and from Scotland.
It was at that meeting that the announcement was made that a large and influential body of hauliers in Liverpool had decided to form a group. I would like, if I may, to take this opportunity to congratulate the National Couference on this accession to its strength.
One thing I noticed in particular, in scanning the list ef names of those interested in the Liverpool group, was that they were not all concerns of the small-haulier type. There Were some amongst them who are well known „throughout the country, which brings me to my point.
Movement in High Places
A sudden and, if I may say so, belated interest in this grouping movement has now developed in high places, very high places indeed. There are many asking questions about it who have hitherto ignored it entirely.. This anxiety is additional to and quite separate from the earnest desire for information on the subject which is now manifesting itself in the several letters which I am receiving every day from operators desirous of forming groups in their own districts.
This concern for the growth of the grouping movement, so recently shown by sorne of those who are prominent in other spheres of activity within the industry; has its special significances.. It is, in the first place, a striking token of the importance of the grouping movement; our leading lights do not concern themselves with these matters until they begin to fear, or entry them. Those who are active in the grouping Movement may, or may not, be flattered by these attentions. More important, perhaps, is the possibility that these people, our so-called leaders in other fields of road haulage activity, are hoping to play corresponding parts in this one, too. Let us for our part hope that they do not, and take the essential steps to keep them out.
Let us, recall that previous grandiose scheme. for the co-ordination " of hauliers, so prominently coupled with the names of Szarvaiy and Iiindley. I sometimes wonder— but noteseriouslywhy it has not been thought desirable to couple this grouping movement with the name of E. B.
ft is not beyond the bounds of possibility that the Minister of War Transport may decide that this co-operative grouping movement may be worthy of investigation, or even more than that. In that connection, too, it is worth while to note that there has been no mention of co-operative grouping and no provision for-it in the Perry Scheme. Taking the two together, Ministerial interest and lack of interest on the part of those responsible for the merger gives rise to this conjecture. Is it possible that the Ministry, having fall inside knowledge of the Perry Scheme and its possibilities—and limitations—and having also heard something of the grouping movement, has come to the conclusion that it would be wise to check up on the latter before being irrevocably committed to the former?
. Ministry Watches Events
Alternatively, has the Ministry come to the conclusion that, whilst it is all very well for the merger to represent itself as the one voice, with the right to speak for the industry, there may possibly arise another organization, this grouping movement, which might easily become a much more powerful body and that, at the very least, there might be wisdom in keeping in touch with both?
Again, there is the fact, already mooted in more than one quarter, that, in matters such as these, the existence of an " opposition " is healthyas well as, its the long run, helpful. May it not be that the Ministry is also of that opinion and is taking action accordingly, having come to the conclusion that this grouping movement might very well take the field as the opposition?
These speculations are intriguing and, to a 'certain extent, they are no more than speculations. What is established beyond a shadow of a doubt is that the grouping movement has not only come to stay, but is destined to become a vital force in toe industry, with reactions on the political as well as the economic side.
The surprising thing to me, and no doubt it is causing many people in the industry to wonder, is that, of all that long list, of associations now absorbed in the merger, only one ever gave serious consideration to this aspect of association development. The A.R.O. sent out its grouping quiz, but, so far as 15 generally known, took no further steps.
The fact that these steps were taken, tentatively and ineffective as they were, does at least demonstrate that many of those who have for so long been engaged on the organization oi the merger were aware of the movement. Yet, it has, itf the general scheme as well as in its detail planning,' been entirely ignored. In my view, that was a serious oversight, one which those who were responsible will live, toregret.