The Crusade for Freedom
Page 33
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By "Tantalus"
The Labour Government Is Endeavouring to Abolish the Principles of Magna Carlo by Its Nationalization Programme, Which Would Bind Our Workers to a Monopoly / T is quite impossible for any operator of a goods vehicle to have illusions concerning the fate of the industry as determined by the Government. During the General Election campaign members of the present Government emphasized that, in the event of their being returned to Parliament with a clear working majority, inland transport would be included in the first list of industries to be nationlized.
Despite the fact that the question of proposed nationalization was one of common knowledge there appeared no great evidence of alarm concerning the imminent danger ahead. For a time it seemed as though there existed a feeling that something would happen which would make everything all right again. Thank goodness such -illusion no longer exists! Now operators are conscious of the stern reality of the danger which hangs over them like the sword of Damocles. There can be no mistaking the fact that the Government means business, and it behoves every operator to display a spirit of determination to fight to the finish.
It is essential that, on entering the arena, the operators should understand quite clearly for what they are fighting. The issue is one that goes far; it is more profound than the mere question of nationalization. It is, in fact, the task of keeping alight the lamp of freedom so that it may not be extinguished by political ideology.
The history of England is aglow with the light of freedom, dark though many ages have been. When King John adopted the ways of a dictator his subjects banded themselves together and compelled him to set his seal to Magna Carta. When King Charles—imbued with lofty ideas regarding the divine right of kings— was to high-handed with his measures, Parliament refused to vote the money he needed. When he failed to learn his lesson the people resolutely defended their rights with pike and sword. All the might of Spain did not succeed in making England let go her hold on freedom in the glorious days of Queen Bess. Then, when Napoleon had thundered across Europe, it was a "nation of shopkeepers " which made him a prisoner at St. Helena. • .
Democracy Born From Individual Freedom It was England which abolished slavery, and the name of Wilberforce gathered unstinted glory. The search for freedom, it was, which drove the early colonists out of the old world into the new; and American history is, in a great measure, the story of a nation's bid for freedom and its preservation thereof. Democracy itself was born out of the ideal of individual freedom. No greater venture of faith has ever been made than that displayed by the gallant few who sailed in the "Mayflower," From so rich a background appeared man's true inheritance—the right of every man ta work out his destiny as he chooses. Such freedom was purchased by our forefathers at the cost of severe hardship and sacrifice. They faced death with a calm fearlessness so that the cause of freedom might prevail.
To-day the standard of life, as also the liberties of the people of this country, are in danger. During the war individuals readily sacrificed their personal freedom in an effort to gain freedom for the world. Now that the war is over and victory has been won, the task of industrial recovery demands an effort no less intense than that of war. If, to hasten recovery, it were necessary still to sacrifice freedom, then the burden would be borne. This, however, is not necessary. Nevertheless, the restrictions on liberty, which are being imposed will so handicap recovery as to jeopardize the standard of living. Recovery and prosperity cannot be achieved by substituting for freedom an abject submission to the State.
In resolving the problem of nationalization, the deciding factor should be whether such a step would be of benefit to the community and in the national interest. To assist in the formation of a considered opinion the operation of the R.H.O. provides valuable data. In this connection, the Report of the Select Committee on National Expenditure exposes the extravagant, wasteful and uneconomic nature of the scheme. If the pungent criticisms of this independent body be insufficient, there can be added the experiences of users of road transport and operators -alike, all• of whom have full knowledge of what a Government-controlled transport system really means.
Transport Nationalization Would Reduce Exports It is not along the road of nationalization that export trade will be recovered or the home market be supplied with an abundant flow of goods. It is essential, therefore, that no time be lost nor effort wasted in combating the menace.
The Caxton Hall meeting, organized and led by Mr. E. B. Howes, provided a good augury. The statements of Mr. Duffield and the manifesto of the R.H.A. bear witness to the determination of the representative bodies to fight with the utmost vigour.
In a struggle of this nature a division of forces should be avoided at all cost, and in spite of any sacrifices which might be entailed. Every person connected with the road transport industry must pull his full weight. The associations, groups and clearing houses should mobilize all available resources and unite in a supreme effort to retain their heritage. In addition, there is a section of the community to which special attention should be given, viz., the women—the wives of hauliers. It would be no exaggeration to say that many operators owe their success to the help and encouragement received from their womenfolk. Moreover, if an operator's business be swallowed up under nationalization, necessitating his seeking other means for livelihood —possibly at a time when jt bs may not be easy to find—the first ones to suffer will be the women. In them is a potential source of strength which should be utilized to the fullest extent. The women could, for example, continuously bombard their local Member of Parliament.
The fight in which the members of the ' industry are now engaged should not be regarded as a campaign in the ordinary sense, but rather as a crusade, for such it is. Whatever measure of success has been enjoyed in the past, either by the owner of a big fleet or by the small operator, has been possible only under the flag of freedom. There can be no finer inspiration for those persons charged with the duty and responsibility of planning and leading this crusade than belief in freedom. The challeng,e is exemplified in the following words of a famous statesman: "I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death."