A Policy for the R.H.A.
Page 21
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A Five-point Programme that Should be Endorsed by All Members of the Association
THE five-point policy for hauliers which Mr. R. B. Brittain, chairman of the Eastern Area and of the public relations committee of the Road Haulage Association, expounded at Ipswich, last week, should be adopted completely by the new national council when, it holds its first meeting on May 24. It gives the industry a much-needed lead at a time of stress and anxiety. • .• Mr. Brittain first urged that the vigorous presentation of the haulier's case to Members of Parliament and the public should be continued. It would indeed be folly to let die the glow of public indignation, fanned during the passage through Parliament 'tff the ill-fated Transport (Amendment) Bill, over the nationalization of longdistance road haulage. Pressure on public opinion must be sustained unceasingly: .
The second of the five points was that " hauliers should determine by every, constitutional means open to them to keep and attract as much traffic as possible." If they cease to show that spirit of enterprise which made road haulage such a coveted property, they will be defeated. Their adversary is powerful and well armed, and is shielded against the results of commercial failure. Only by the exercise of initiative and firm resolve can the free haulier flourish in the restricted field that remains to him.
A New Publicity Scheme In his third point—" the Association should promote a planned attempt to sell free-enterprise road haulage to trade and industry "—Mr. Brittain foreshadowed a new experiment in public relations, details of which are expected to be released next week. It is understood that the plan is based on printed publicity matter which would be prepared by the Association on behalf of members. In organizations run by committees, there is always the danger that the professional advice of the public-relations expert will be overruled by amateurs who, because they hold the purse-strings, are able to, appoint themselves as judges in matters with which they are not competent to deal. The preparation of advertising material is a highly skilled task calling for technical knowledge of printing, as well as a gift for subtle persuasion and an understanding of psychology.
The responsibility of the policy-making body should be limited to the precise definition of the lines of approach to be followed: thereafter the professionals should take charge.
Although aimed at different objects, Mr. Brittain's fourth and fifth points 'were linked by a need, in each case, for goodwill among hauliers. He urged that intenvorking should be extended, so that the disadvantage of the 25-mile limit was reduced to a minimum, and that "members should interchange technical information among themselves and should promote the study of new developments, such as palletization."
Improve Operating Technique • The second suggestion opens up a new sphere of usefulness for the Association. Efficient service in haulage will be more important in the future than ever before, and the steadily rising trend of costs makes the use of scientific methods essential. A sub-committee should be set up to study the latest techniques in traffic handling and movement. Operators should be encouraged to experiment with pallets and to pass the results of their experience to the sub-committee for circulation.
Manufacturers of mechanical handling equipment would no doubt stage demonstrations for members of the Association, and would assist in the investigation of individual problems. A wide field of knowledge is open to hauliers.
If the national council of the R.H.A. adopts and energetically pursues this programme it will redeem itself in the eyes of those operators who believe that the campaign on behalf of the free haulier has lacked leadership and that the central body has not given the area organizations the support to which they were entitled.
• When the national council met in January, it was generally expected that a new statement of policy, adjusted to the needs of the moment, would be announced. It appears, however, that the council was so preoccupied with other matters that there was not time to consider policy, and the industry was left to wonder. Mr. Britton" has shown the Association where the interests of its members lie and his programme merits full support.