OPINIONS and QUERIES
Page 22
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
ENCOURAGING MEMBERSHIP OF THE ASSOCIATIONS IN January of this yew you were kind enough to 'publish a letter of mine, and I am pleased to see that in your leader on " The Luton Rebellion " you now agree that the suggestions I then put forward as the reason for the weakness of the road-transport industry are correct. It is an undoubted factthat lack of membership of the associations is the answer to the indifference with which the lq.O.W.T. treats the industry. You will recall that I offered another suggestion, as., a part solution to the problem. I pointed out that the motor. trade has a membership of over 11,000 in the M.A.A. alone, and as the fundamental basis of a motor trader's business is a customer, I am sure they will appreciate the fact that, by carrying out the function of enrolment centres for Association members, they will be helping themselves as well as the industry on which a large percentage of them is dependent. I suggest that you, Sir, give both sides a lead and arrange a meeting between the president of the M.A.A. and a nominated representative of the S. J.C., to put the scheme into operation at the earliest possithe moment.
Solihull. A. BIN NS .
A CO-OPERATIVE READER CALLS FOR UNITY
As I read your report of the Luton A.R.O. meeting and realize, from the statementsmade by the local
chairman, that a number of the complaints has existed for a very long Hine, I am surprised that the operators concerned failed to take any action 'until the vote of no confidence passed there. Surely, had the members been fully alive to their responsibilities, they must have
_realized before that they are as much responsible for them
policy of their organization as the individual members wha represent them on va:rious boards and conimittees. Regarding the opening remarks by Mr. Howes on the taxation of vehicles, speed limits and unfair competition with the railway companies, I am certain that, with proper representation from the industry, a good case could have been made on behalf of road transport for taxation on carrying capacity instead of unladen weight. When reviewing his remarks on legislation, especially regarding the wages and grading of drivers and the failure -of the appointed delegates on the Central Wages Board to study the members' interests, surely he must realize that all members of the Association are equally responsible for seeing that the delegates appointed not only attend, but fully express the views of the people they represent. If the delegates at any time failed to carry out such responsibilities, they should immediately have been replaced, or, failing this action, they should accept and honour any decisions reached in their . absence.
Coming to the remarks that such -reorganization' as the Government requiredwithin the industry could have been brought about without the intervention of Ministerial authority, it can be assumed only that such representation as was made on the operators' behalf was very ineffective; for it has been my experience in the Co-operative moyement that the 1VI.O.W.T. has always preferred voluntary reorganization within each Section to meet the required demands of the national interest, rather than to attempt to obtain the same results by Official interference. In hisnext claim, that the Government has tackled the problem by conceatrating its energies on the professional hauliers, leaving out the C-licence holder and the Ministerial vehicles, surely he must realize that the majority of C licensees is constituted from retaildelivery men with specialized vehicles to meet the requirements of the transport of different foodstuffs and commodities. With them responsibility does not end by delivery only, but in country areas ration books, coupon's and cash collection have to be attended to by the delivery man or woman, whilst milk-delivery staff have actually to operate the Government rationing
scheme. I have no hesitation in saying the average haulier has neither the experience nor suitable vehicles to undertake such work:
With regard to economies effected by C-licence holders, I would point out that when retail tradesmen were called upon for an estimated reduction of 10,000,600 gallons of fuel per year, despite the fact that large numbers of 'housewives had entered the munition industries and therefore had to rely more than ever on delivery Services, this section of the transport industry alone so rationalized its work that an annual saving of 25,000,000 gallons Of fuel was made and 34,000 vehicles were released for other work, with the 'corresponding saving of labour and material. .
Further, by order of the Ministry of Food, bread delivery is restricted to alternate • days, and further schemes for the rationalization of delivery for bread, milk and coal are being mutually agreed to by these classes of operator and are being brought into effect. So it can be justly claimed that -die C operator is doing his full share in the war that demands equal sacrifice from all for the national effort.
This great industry is doomed if various sections of the trade are jealous of each other's rights and desirous of seeking their own survival at the expense of other sections of the trade.
In conclusion, I would suggest that if road transport is to surmount the present difficulties imposed by the restriction of fuel, rubber and man power, it is essential that all sections of operators and employees engaged in • the industry should immediately form a national committee, charged with the responsibility of the utmost co-operation with the M.O.W.T. to produce the maximum national effort during the war period and ensure the industry of every opportunity of 'returning to its premier place in our country's services as soon as is
practicable after the peace. A. G. HULBERT. Yeovil.
ROAD TRANSPORT COMPARED WITH A STURDY OAK
AS a worker in the road-transport industry I try to give as much as possible of my time to studying its affairs. I picture our industry as a great oak tree that has grown to such an extent that it is shutting out the .light from the, bureaucratic mansion. Hence the 1933 lop-ping of . its branches. Now, in 1943, we see, the feverish hacking at the branches that are left, but even this seems to be done in the black-out.
From this stage on, I still see the industry as a great tree, but with its green leaves turning brown. Oh closer inspection, however, I see several green -shoots. One of these is ". The Commercial Motor " trying hard to sprout despite the feller's axe. Two others are Messrs. Scott Hall and 'Howes, the latter the Liberator of Luton.
Leaving such allegorical subjects, however, I hope that many more operators will rally to the side of these -three musketeers and help them to preserve the free growth Of the indultry ill the post-war years. London, N.12. R. ELw ECK.