The High Price of Modesty
Page 30
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HIDING one's light under a bushel may be as wasteful and extravagant as burning the candle at both ends. In neither case is the resulting illumination of the required intensity. As far as the publicity-policy of the Road Haulage Executive is concerned, it may be said to be doing the latter, and rather too much light is being thrown on its activities. The Road Haulage Association, on the other hand, has adopted the opposite attitude, so much so that many otherwise well-informed industrialists are not even aware of the existence of this body.
These reflections are the result of hearing about the experience of an engineering concern in London. Some weeks ago this organization was presented with an opportunity of testing the truth of one of the well-known strip cartoon advertisements of the R.H.E.
An urgent call was received from an overseas agent for components which had been waiting dispatch. They were to be shipped the following day from the London docks. The R.H.E., when approached, said it was incapable, at such short notice (25 hours in fact), of arranging the delivery, and that it was impossible for any haulier to tackle such a job.
Eventually, the R.H.E. official dealing with the inquiry suggested that the delivery of the 21 cases in the consignment should be entrusted to a "small haulier." The manufacturer confessed that he did not know there were any. He had thought that they were all nationalized. After much threatening and cajoling, the R.H.E. was persuaded to collect and deliver the load.
Clearly, any lack of publicity by the R.H.A. may lead to many such cases, where a manufacturer wishing to deliver goods over even short distances, does not know to whom to turn. Experience has taught him that the R.H.E. is so often unreliable.
In two weeks' time, the Transport (Amendment) Bill is due to be discussed in the House of Commons. The R.H.A. is to run a publicity campaign in support of it. Evidence before "The Commercial Motor" suggests that publicity of a more general nature would be of great benefit to the remaining small hauliers and to commercial and industrial transport users all over the country.