Wanted —A Lead from the Leaders The Prospect o'• an Early Victory Adds Emphasis to
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the Urgent Need for a Considered and Uniform Policy to Safeguard the ' Industry By
" Tantalus "
THERE can be little doubt as to the opinion of the general body of hauliers regarding the future of the industry. Especially does this apply in respect of the small man, who has all at stake and everything to
lose. .
For those who so far, have managed to survive the rigoet of repressive control, the post-war position of the indus presents a serious problem. They have decided views themselves concerning this matter ; but, in their minds they are uneasy regarding the course which, possibly, may be adopted by the inner circles of the hid The main cause of this uneasiness, obviously, is th complete absence of all information. The • accre ed leaders are strangely silent. Is this because they ave not, as yet, formulated any concrete proposals. Or, alternatively, if plans are, in fact, in course of p paration, are they of such a nature that it is `doub ul whether they would be accorded general appro al? Surely, by this time, there should be forthcomin from the representatives of the industry definite propo Is for submission to the members.
In ace, as in war, opportunity must be seized immediate' ; it does not knock upon thedoor a second time. Are e leaders, therefore, ready and prepared to seize the p ular opportunity Which present circumstances provi , or are they merely marking time until the Gover ment plans be made known? If the latter be the case, • en danger lies ahead, for operators have not forgotten the manner in which the existing control scheme was osed upon the industry. Superficially it appeared to hareceived the approval of the industry through the m ium of the advisory committee which was created special y for consultative purposes. At a later date, however, i transpired that the committee was forced—without op ion—into accepting the scheme
L rs Should Have Plans Ready for Submission to Operators
The ircumstances and conditions of those days, when the mist difficult and unknown hazards of the war still lad to be faced, were very different from the position which exists to-day, when the defeat of the enemy is certain and when victory is in sight. At that time all efforts and planning were concentrated upon coming campa gns. Now that many of those campaigns have been f ught and won, attention to-day is focused on the comin peace and post-war reconstruction.
As tiers stand there is no reason for the leaders to be mpeded into accepting any scheme which may emerg from Government quarters. On the contrary, they s uld have in readiness plans for submission to the operat rs, and upon which the opinions of the latter should be sought, in order that a clear mandate may be obtain d. Are the leaders prepared to undertake such work o reconstruction? .
The must be adequate planning, for without it matte will drift, and will bring in their train muddle and eh os where order and efficient organization should reign. Planning must, however, be on the right lines. otherw' e it might, conceivably, destroy the very purpose fi which it is intended and become a destructive rather han a constructive force. For example, it is
easier—and by some persons is claimed to be more economical—to deal with large units and to eliminate the small men. Any abuse in this matter must be prevented. For it should be remembered that planning should never be employed as an instrument of oppression and torture, but as a:means for salvation.
It is essential that there should exist a determination to make the industry better and safer for those engaged in it, with equal opportunity for all and the banishment of all forms of injustice and insecurity The foundations must be laid securely at this stage of our history, and must be sound and wise in conception. , Operators should not permit the heritage of private freedom to be filched from them permanently. Far too much interference adheres to the bureaucratic machine, and, already, far too many persons have vested interests in the restriction of liberties: All such obstacles as these to sound and constructive planning must be banished before they become a hindrance and h, harmful nuisance.
Small Man Must Have Chance
to Re-enter the Industry
In many instances the little business has been swallowed up and the owner has taken up arms. Not only must he be granted freedom to re-enter the industry but, if necessary, he should be afforded assistance to enable him to start up again. This does not savour of the Utopian, nor should such assistance be regarded in the light of a favour. It is, rather, a simple act of justice and the fulfilment of a moral obligation.
The foregoing is but one of the many problems which form an integral part of any planned scheme. It is, nevertheless, one which should be dealt with immediately, for the number of men invalided out of the Services is growing constantly. Therefore, it is incumbent upon the leaders—as also upon the S.J.C.—to announce their attitude and intentions . regarding this matter. There is always a risk, as often experienced by the industry in the past, of lack of co-ordinated representation, which leaves the Government an open field for the imposition of its own plans upon the industry, with
or .without the approval of the latter. The reverse should be the case. One of the evils obtaining in the industry is diffused -responsibility and a representative system which is at present the antithesis of co-ordination.
Various speakers from association platforms when appealing for membership—have on numerous occasions stressed the necessity of one voice being heard on behalf of the industry. Yet when an opportunity for such expression presents itself there is no eager acceptance, but merely a continuance of protracted and tedious negotiations; whereas, surely, the axiom, "United we stand and divided we fall," could not be applied to better effect.
The weakness of the representative system has been apparent for some time, and a change is long overdue. If the present obvious opportunity be lest and the proposed Federation fail to become established, this will be to the lasting detriment of the industry and to the discredit of those -persons responsible. The industry requires not only liberation from without but liberation from within.