One Member One Vote 'THE principle of ," one man
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one vote," in the 1 operation of the new organization for the representation of the road-transport industry, seems likely to be accepted, but it was a near squeak. It very nearly came to pass that the voting power, on a poll, was ve.Sted in those who paid the biggest subscriptions, in which case there would have been an ever-present risk of the interests of the industry as a whole, and especially, those of the small operators, who, incidentally, are in the majority, being made subservient to those of a few large and• influential operators.
This, as we pointed cut in a leading article in our issue dated February 18, would have been fundamentally wrong. A basis of voting power which might be right and 'proper in a commercial undertaking, formed for purely financial reasons, is quite out of place and totally inapplicable in the case of an association of traders,. which must have as its object the greatest good of the greatest number—a principle which -compelsthe allocation of voting power on the basis of one member one vote.
In view rtf our very decided opinion on this point we were gratified to learn, a short time after he publication of the article in question, that steps had been taken to rectify the .error. A circular from A.R.O., dated February 25, assured members of that body that votingin R.H.A., one of the three constituent bodies in the new Federation; was to be on what we are sure is the proper basis, namely, one vote per member. This was, shortly afterwards, confirmed by a public announcement in " The Roadway," the official journal of A.R.0, We commented o'n the matter in -a second leading article in our issue dated April 7, in which article we made the natural assumption that the principle involved was accepted by all parties' concerned in the consolidation of the industry into one united body, to speak with one voice. • To our "amazement, we were advised that neither tbe C.M.U.A. nor the S. J.C. were parties to the issue of the circular ; neither of them. was, officially, aware of it.. Further investigation disclosed that A.R.O. had taken the initiative without discussing the matter with these associated organizations. As we write we understand that, following the action by A.R.O., this matter has been dischssed by the Federation Committee, which has recommended that the Articles of Association be' amended so that, in the event, of a poll, voting shall be one vote per Member. This recommendation -is before the Shadow Councils, and, if they agree, the alteration in the Articles of Association will be made accordingly.
. If we may venture, our opinion is that the A.R.O., by its bold and independent action, has done the industry, and the cause of unity an excellent service, for which not only its members but those of the other associations, too, should be duly grateful. We are happy to think that we, by giving publicity, in our article, to the original voting.
• plan, had some share in the matter. Finally, we congratulate all concerned in having the breadmindedness to accept well-nreant advice and in having the courage not only to admit an error but take immediate steps to correct it.