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Signing the Industry's Get.together Treaty

22nd December 1944
Page 17
Page 17, 22nd December 1944 — Signing the Industry's Get.together Treaty
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OUR leading article this week deals with the signing of the " pact " by which six of the seven associations representing the various forms of road transport (except in the municipal .sphere) become linked together in three autonomous bodies—the Road Haulage Association, the Traders' Road Transport Association and the Passenger Vehicle Operators' Association—under the mgis of the National Road Transport Federation,

The signing on December 12 was preceded by a luncheon given by the Road Transport Organization Joint Conference, at which Major R. A. B. Smith, M.C., took the chair, in place of Lord Perry, who is in the U.S.A.

Amongst other interesting points the chairman said that seven organizations working independently could never hope to attain success in placing their views before a Government Department: even one that was slightly divergent might weaken the whole. They would now be able to speak with one voice, and the Government must listen, as it is in office to accede to the wishes of the community, and not necessarily its own. If the new bodies promulgated a sound policy and included the interests of employer and employee, as well as having the common weal in their mind, they would be bound to succeed. The associations were not yet, however, strong enough and the membership must he increased.

He believed that the new organization would gradually slip into place and become one of the finest trade bodies in the country.

Major C rawfu rd A .F .C. , strongly confirmed the remarks of the chairman. In view of the problems of the future and the attack likely to be made upon the industry, it was high time that it should be prepared to meet these. It must be remembered that other Governments may come and bring with them very decided views.

Although the industry had become integrated, much of the work required adaptability and elasticity, and these characteristics must he retained. Road transport must not be drilled and regimented. Those who will direct the policy of the new organization must remember that the leadership must he more decisive. Too much power was left in the hands of Government Departments, The organization must serve the public and protect its members from external interference. Rela tions with the passenger-vehicle associations were most cordial.

Mr. W. Edwards, chairman of the National Road Transport Employers' Federation, said that our industry, at a,. time when the whole of the world was suffering from party politics, had established a " National Government" ef the industry, • jerrett, president-elect of the C.M.U.A., outlined what the C.M.U.A. had contributed towards unity. This was now being achieved in the best spirit and intention. He, personally, was most optimistic as to the future of road transport. He did not believe that the Government would be a "big bad wolf." The industry must be left to run its own affairs.

• Sir John McDonald, president of the Scottish who, with Messrs. Isaac Barry and J. W. Loudon, represented Scottish interests at the function, had for long sympathized with transport because it could not speak

with a single voice. That had now been changed. He had felt previously that it was an impossible position. In a small way in Scotland they had experienced some of the troubles that the industry had in England. They also had had embittered foes, who had later become friends. All would now give full support to the new organization.

Mr, W, Elliott, speaking for the National Conference of Express Carriers, said that a progressive policy was good for the industry and for the country, The Government would appreciate this and consider the views of the new body. Road-transport people were the hardest worked in the country, and it was perhaps because of this that they did not take their position seriously enough.

Mr. B. J. Turner, chairman of the J. H. Turner Memorial Committee, said that friendship was a fundamental factor in our industry. It was by transport that you helped A to go to B or took his packages from point to point. That in itself was friendliness. Now the industry was going from individualism to definite progress. Suspicion had turned, to trust, and for this he gave much credit to Major R. A. B. Smith.

In responding, Major R. A, B. Smith expressed his thanks to the Standing Joint Committee. He added that we must not think individually but in the general interest, and all work together to a common end.


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