The Royal Automobile Club Needs Revivifying
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AT one time the Royal Automobile Club had an .excellent reputation in the motoring and even the commercial road-transport spheres. It was looked upon as a body which voiced the interests, protected the rights and unified the policy of the large majority of road users. It also held trials of vehicles, equipment, etc., and its certificate was considered as a mark of honour.
Gradually, however, a decline set in, and now the name stands for little except that its clubhouse is a reasonably good venue at which to lunch or dine, and its comfortable arm-chairs are conducive to that somnolent spirit appreciated by its older members, many of whom are on the committee of 50 which rules the Club. Is this good enough?
There are reputed to be some 15,000 full members who have the right to use the premises in Pall Mall, but the vast majority comprises associates, some in the commercial-transport field, who, hitherto, have been proud to display the badge, but these associates have no say in the control. However, their interests should be pi-otected by the aforementioned full members more than is now the case; but, as with so many other bodies, the committee is virtually static, perhaps in more ways than one Members Should Exercise Their Rights Full members have, under the rules, the right to nominate any other member for election to the committee, provided that he be seconded by one other full member., The rules further require that half of the committee shall retire at regular intervals, which we presume to be each year, a continuity of policy being ensured by the 25 remaining in office. For some years, however, there have been no nominations ; consequently, the retiring members of the committee have all, very conveniently and comfortably, renominated each other. If actually there had been more than the 25, nominations an election would have become necessary, and this i what is becoming essential.
We may well ask how all this comes about. One reason is that the general membership seldom has any idea, and certainly little or no notification, of the arrival of the date for nominations, and the retiring committee men simply slip back into their seats, no questions being asked. The method would, of course, be reasonably satisfactory and democratic if it were taken advantage of by members other than those on the committee.
As a result few, if any, questions are asked as to what the committee is doing to help its members and road transport in general in such vitally important matters as taxation, the development of roads (particularly motorways), modification of speed limits, the regulations concerning the construction and use of vehicles, and those many other subjects concerning more the interests of the private motorist than they do those engaged in commercial transport by road.
Live and Enthusiastic Committee Essential What is wanted is for live and fully intelligent members of the Club to take more responsibility upon their own shoulders by nominating younger and more energetic men to serve on the committee. We do not suggest that there are no accomplished and clever members on the present ruling body, but the average age is far too high ; several must be approaching their dotage, a few may; through ill-health, seldom be able to attend the meetings, and one or two would long ago have faded out of any active business.
The Club should now be right on its toes and making active preparations for that huge revival and expansion of motoring and commercial road transport which will inevitably ensue with a return to more normal conditions. It should prove that it is fully capable of voicing and pressing just claims for recognition, or failure to do so will further tarnish its former good reputation, and mere complacency will help towards sabotaging the motor industry.
Incidentally, nominations to the committee must be made at least three weeks before the annual general meeting, which, we are informed, will take place about the end of May.
We know, of course, that the R.A.C. has formed a joint committee with two other bodies to deal with certain urgent matters, but the larger of these associations itself has no direct representation of members on its committee, and, therefore, can hardly be expected to speak with any great degree; of authority.