What the Associations are Doing
Page 34
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Labour Side Holds Back Wage Agreement
THERE is always a likelihood, when I Mr_ D. Richardson speaks at any public meeting, that what he says will be of unusual interest. He arrived at the annual dinner of the Chatham Sub-area of A.R.O., on Monday of this week, straight from a meeting of the Central Wages Board. He was full of the subject and was not slow to give us the benefit of his experiences.
He said that they were trying to reach a decision which would satisfy all parties concerned. It was obvious, however, that that was going to he extremely difficult, as the difference between the ideas of the employers' and the employees' side was so great. He stated that if the demands of the labour side were met, £4,000,000 would not cover the extra cost to the industry. It was being argued that a road haulier's task, particularly one on long-distance haulage, was a more arduous and more difficult one than that of a bus driver. He felt sure that all present would disagree.
The independent members of the Board had not as yet expressed any opinion. A casting vote by them, in favour of the views of labour, would be a very serious matter, especially for those hauliers who were in more or less direct competition with C licensees and the railways.
He said that their case had been very well put by Mr. SewilI. At the same time, it was clear that wherever and whenever they might be speaking, whether in Loudon or in the provinces, labour spoke with one voice. He wished that the same could be said of road hauliers.
On the matter of the road-rail agreement, he said that the only question of importarke appeared to be "Can you trust the railways?" He referred to several experiences he had had of negotiations with the railways which led him to believe one could. In any event, he said, this agreement was at least a bargain where none had existed before and to that extent it was a step forward. He said that it was a fact that the railway companies had already postponed appeals and withdrawn objections.
Major Erie Long referred to the amazing progress which had been made by A.R.O. He said that success was largely due to Mr. Sewill.
lie warned thosepresent that there was likely to be considerable opposition in Parliament to the passage of any Act implementing the T.A.C. recommendations in reference to the " square deal."
Mr. P. L. Dicker, chairman of the sub-area, said that this was a record attendance at this particular function.
The principal toast of the Association was proposed by Mr. H. Scott
Hall( S . T. R., The Commercial Motor
Costs Expert). The toast of the Chatham Sub-area was proposed by Mr. H. W. Jiggens and replied to by Mr. P. L. Dicker. Mr. II. J. F. Taylor proposed "The Guests" and the response was by Mr. A. G. Smith, of Sheerness, where it is hoped shortly to inaugurate a new A.R.O. sub-area.