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Long-term or Short-term Policy Which Shall It Be?

2nd October 1942, Page 26
2nd October 1942
Page 26
Page 26, 2nd October 1942 — Long-term or Short-term Policy Which Shall It Be?
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

ARESOLUTION opposing the adoption of the long-term policy proposals which have been put forward in connection with the national Standing Joint Committee, was carried unanimously at a meeting of members of the Yorkshire Federation of Road Transport Employers, held last week, in Leeds, under the presidency of Mr. Frank Thompson, the Federation's chairman. It was reported that oppo-sition was also forthcoming froth a number of county and local associations of operators in other parts of the country.

The resolution stated that the Yorkshire Federation, enjoying freedom of action and able to advance its recommendations through the medium of the National Road Transport Employers' Federation," is emphatically of the opinion that no change from the present arrangements should be contemplated until it can be proved without doubt that the advantages to be gained from amalgamation of associations are greater than those in the possession of this Federation to-day."

Therefore, continued the resolution, the Federation would not support, at this stage, any scheme of reorganization which c9ntemplated its own disappearance or that of the National Federation of Road Transport Employers. It would, however, support, through the National Federation, the Standing Joint Committee's shortterm policy in the latter's new make-up, being convinced that under to-day's conditions the interests of the road haulage industry could only he effioiently protected through the medium of the S.J.C. In the discussion before the adoption of the resolution, M. J. F. Archbold (Leeds) said that the Yorkshire Fegeration had shown a great deal of initiative on behalf of operators, and. he thought it would. make a serious mistake if it sank its identity, as would happen sooner or later under the short-term policy.

Mr. A. meson (Goiaiersal) said he was apprehensive that the long-term policy as now proposed would work to the advantage of " big business " in road haulage, rather than to the benefit of the smaller operator.

Mr. J. S. Hutchinson (Huddersfield), who represents the Yorkshire Area Standing Joint Committee on the nationa4 body,' said he looked to the S.J.C. to help preserve the amaller operator as a composite part of the industry ; he regarded it as the alternative to development oq non-individualistic lines. If operStors wished to retain--particularly during the war period—the freedom which they still had, the only body which could safeguard it was the S.J.C.

If the smaller operator could be kept in being, with the S.J.C. speaking for him on matters-of national policy, and with local associations retaining their local .autonomy for the time being, at any rate, to deal with parochial matters, he thought they were going to arrive at a position which would give some cause for satisfaction.

Therefore, he warmly supported the S.J.C. in principle, and he commended its short-term policy as a means for serving the interests of operators generally, and of furnishing a channel whereby the industry could speak with a united voice. As to long-term policy, he suggested' that could reasonably wait until they had had more experience of the operation of the existing S.J.C. machinery.

Commenting upon a question raised as to .the numerical representation Which various associations have upon 'the Yorkshire Area Standarig Joint Committee, Mr. Hutchinson emphasized that in S.J.C. matters the " association feeling " must give place to a wider outlook.

The Lincolnshire Transport Association, at a meeting last week, adopted a resolution. stating that it is mostemphatically opposed to the long-term policy proposals, feeling that they would not help the "industry.

The resolution expressed the view that the S.J.C.'s present short-term policy was proving satisfactory, providing a channel through which full expression can be given as to the needs and circumstances of all classes of operator. Mr. Harry Clark, Auager and secretary of the Federation of Yorkshire Road Transport Employers, in explaining the short-term and long-term policies, said that the real crux of the problem was whether they would be "travelling too fast" by adoption of the long-term proposals.


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