Derby Hauliers .Forming Their Own Clearing House A PRACTICAL and ingenious
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attempt to co-ordinati all the principal road-transport operators in Derby is being made. Its foremost object is tho pooling of surplus traffic, which is to be shared amongst members. It is hoped that one result will be to help the smaller members of the local community of hauliers to get through the difficult times which are ahead of them, and, in achieving that success, it is anticipated that a flourishing concern will result, for after-thewar operations.
• One of the advantages which is expected to accrue will be the elimination of the temptation to cut rates. The method adopted is that of banding together all the local hauliers in a limited company. This will act as a clearing house. Traffic obtained will, in the first place, be offered to the members, and any surplus disposed of as opportunity presents itself.
The company is already in process of formation and is being registered. It is to be called Mutual Transport (Derby), Ltd. Of the 30 leading hauliers in the district no fewer than 19 have already joined; others are likely to do so. The capital is £1,000 in 41 shares, of which only £500 is at present being called up. Thn qualification for membership is the holding of not less than ten shares: no member may hold more than 20. Executive control is to be in the hands of a Board of Management, and a general manager is to be appointed, one having wide experience in the Operation of a clearing house.
The underlying principle which the company has in mind is that this clearing house shall act as agent for the road-transport operator, as distinct from the usual clearing house, which acts as agent for the buyer of transport. It is, of course, intended that the profits of the clearing house shall be returned to the haulier members of the company.
In order to ensure that the control shall remain in the hands of bona-fide hauliers it is stipulated that the right of transfer of shares shall be limited.
At a meeting of the company, held on Monday of this week, the following were elected to the board of management: Messrs. Parnell, Rix, Lear, Roper, Carlier, Stone, Dereharn, Keeling and Allen. The solicitor is Mr. Sevier, and accountant Mr. Wheatcroft.
It is suggested, and hoped, that other centres will follow this lead.
A similar scheme, on a national basis, has for some time been under consideration by Associated Road Operators. It was approved a short while ago by the National Council of that body and will shortly be brought into operation, with centres in each A.R.O. area.