Planning the End of the Small Haulier
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Comments on a Cleverly Conceived Plan Designed to Force
the Little Operator to Merge under the Threat of Disabling By .
Restrictions Which Would Confine His Activities to Purely Tantalus " Local Work CONCERNING the booklet entitled " The Read Carrying Industry and the Future," the deeper the contemplation expended upon its contents the greater. becomes the astonishment regarding the audacious nature of the proposals. The authors, certainly, must be' credited
with courage, otherwise they would have hesitated befqre openly and frankly disclosing, without restraint or apology, their plans for dealing with the small haulier. , It is significant that the booklet is unofficial in character and that the views expressed therein are the opinions of the authors in their capacity as private individuals.
Similarly, when Mr. Sewill published recently a booklet dealing with the future of road transport, it was made
abundantly clear that the author of that production also wrote as a private individual, and that theviews expressed therein were entirely personal ones.Nevertheless, almost before the ink was dry the pamphlet had become an A.R.O. document.
Possibly the particular contribution, "The Road Carrying Industry and the Future," now under review, may be regarded as a forecast of coming events. Included amongst
those responsible for its creation, three contributors are . prominent members of the A.R.O., two equally important in the C.M.U.A. organization, and,. at least, two of them
serve, or have served, on almost every committee which ever has existed in connection with road transport. Then, again, one of the two lastmentioned is recognized as being close -to the ear of the M.O.W.T. . '
In such circumstances it is inconceivable that, during the compilation of the booklet, there were no consultations
and conversations with associations and colleagues. Therefore, it is not unreasonable to assume that the views ' expressed reflect the opinions of a circle wider than that covered by -the signators themselves. Indeed,' this might
be extended, perhaps, even to the Ministry -itself.
. Many times, through the columns of this journal, havci the associations been urged -to declare their policy in respect of the small haulier, but without avail. . It seems, ' almost, as though the question might be taboo ; fol-; instead of frankness combined with the courage of coriviction, there has 'been inerely .silence. This might Well 'be
regarded with some suspicion and as a danger signal. '
Association Promises to
Small Hauliers TOrpedOed why have the representative bodies, and particularly the S.J.C., permitted so 'vitally important a. problem to be , dealt With. solely :bv .individuals? Have. they not always .asserted their claim' to be the'gua.rdians and protectors of the small hauliers?. Of coarse •the} .have, and this cannot . be denied., As a;resalt the associations have thrived Updn. their subscriptions. . . • It seems.opportune here to refer once again to the point emphasized by Mr. R. W. Sewill in the course of-meetings which he addressed a year ago at Manchesterancl Liverpool. . At that time, when appealing to the small haulage contractor, he asserted that the strength of the road-haulage industry lies with the small operator, who must be safeguarded if, the industry is to play, its proper part in the .war effort and in the post-war period_ That statement , was made in January, 1943. .What, then, iS-the position regarding the proposals made in January, 1944, as con
• cerning the small haulier?
, Special reference is made to the A.R.O. because of the strong position which it bears in .relation to hauliers. *What is the attitude of this particular organization towards the proposals? Is it one of approval and -undeclared
support, or one of active resistance in an . attempt to. . .
protect the small haulier?. If the foregoing statement made
by Mr, Sewill Meant anything at all there can be but one interpretation, namely, that the A.R.O. is pledged to see, that the small operator receives a just and fair deal now and in the post-war period.
During the past year, however, a great deal of water has flowed under bridges, and the industry has come under a greater and closer measure of control. As a result of continuous contact the representatives of the industry, doubtless, have become more susceptible to the environment
and influences of Berkeley. Square. It is possible that, arising out of changed conditions, a statement made a year ago may no longer be considered in the light of an
honourable obligation. Whether or not this be the ease in no wise affects the unalterable fact that numerous small hauliers expect the pledge to be fulfilled. This being so, surely it is incumbent upon the A.R.O. to' state clearly, and in the most definite terms, so that there can be no possibility of mistake, whether it accepts or rejects the 'proposals enumerated in the booklet, " The Road Carrying Industry.and the Future.", Moreover, in order to allay the widespread uneasiness and apprehension which the proposals have aroused, such statement-should be made without delay. Failure on this score can be regarded only in the light that " silence gives Consent."
Private Group Should Not Have Expounded a National Scheme It is equally essential' that some announcement should be forthcoming from the S.J.C:, in view of the 'fact that it is the body which is recognized officially by the M.O.W.T., as representing the :haulier. Failure in this . respect can mean only acceptance of the proposals. As some of the signators to the booklet are members of the
executive committee of the the situation might prove embarrassing. This because the question of discipline arises, inasmuch as .executive members have, as private persons, published proposals concerning a matter of the most serious nature,. which subject should have been dealt with by the S.J.C. as one of national policy. It is, of course, possible that the authors had the unofficial approval „. oithe S.J.C. in the matter, Be that as it niay, the S.J.C. , is not absolved from makin-g, without undue delay, a statement regarding the propoials. . -A further -aspect in connection with the publication of the document concerns the National Road. Transport .Federation, which, the ind-ustry has been informed, will provide efficient representation of _the highest standard. A :few weeks ago the appointment of four of the principal executive officers for its autonomousassociations was announced, from which it is evident that this new body will commence to function in the near future. It-therefore _seems. extraordinary that this particular time should have ,been. selected for the publication of the booklet.
. In spite of the suave and tactful terms employed by the _authors, thereremains the impression that the. document is 'a clever and subtle form of propaganda. In this con.nection :all those engaged in planning for the future of the industry 'would do well to take to heart the words of Mr. Winant, the United States Ambassador to this -country, who ,isknown and honoured for his deep interest in the future of mankind. The following is one of his pronouncements:—" The experience of the last years has taught us :that awareness .of the, inter-relaticinship of . individuals,-communities and nations is a requisite to successful living in a modern world. No' One :can live by himself alone; nor can any group in the .complex social order of to-day safely attempt to support_ itself at the Coat and -to the detriment of other groupS. -without inkury to the gel/vial welfare."