A Place in the Sun for the Small Haulier
Page 35
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A Plea for More Recognition of the Value of Operators With From One to Five Vehicles
By "TANTALUS"
TO identify the, part played by the small operator in the expansion and development of road transport, it is not necessary to review at close quarters the history of the industry. The term " small " operator is used generally in reference to the owner of from one to five vehicles, and many of those running large fleets to-day were the small operators of yesterday. In fact, the rapid growth of road transport is one of the industrial romances of modern times. The small operator developed a particular type of service in the field of transport, with definite advantage to those whom he served. For example, in the rural diStricts, even to-day, he frequently acts as a general factotum, undertaking shopping and commissions of a varied character, which render him a useful an valued member of the community. If he were not there his services would be greatly missed.
Post-war Misgivings of Small Operators
Many of these small operators are, quite naturally, anxious regarding their position in any scheme of postwar planning: They question as to Athether the official policy will tend to protect the small men and secure his future place in the industry as an aoknowledgment of his importance and usefulness, or whether there will be a tendency to support rationalization by the forming of large groups, with the inevitable extinction by absorption. Claims by road-transport organizations — and national associations in particular—have been made that they are the champions of the small operator. They have frequently proclaimed their desire and willingness to be the guardian and protector of his interests. In spite of this, however, there is little evidence of specific reference being made to the interests of the small operator. On the contrary, much is being said and written constantly in-reference to
• the desirability and even nacessity of the grouping of several concerns into one parent company or syndicate. In any such development the small haulier would appear to have no secure place. Possibly, his business is not considered large enough or of sufficient importance to merit any deep measure of consideration.
• At the present time there are in existence two opposing schools of thought—one which favours the • merging of several concerns into one company, the other advocating the retention of the individual unit. Let us examine, then, these two points of v{ew.
With regard to the first, there is no doubt that advantages are to be gained in the -matter of bulk-purchase and the effecting of economies in administrative costs and overhead charges generally. It seems to me, however, that in any such development there lies a possible danger of the companies becoming too powerful, even to the extent of controlling road transport as it affect's the professional haulier. In other words, it might lead to the creating of a transport monopoly, and that should be prevented at all costs. g. further possible eventuality would be the elimination of private enterprise and initiative,' which, after all, have been the mainspring of the industry. • •
Value of Preserving Individual Identity
There have been innumerable instances of the beneficial effects claimed for monopolies in the fields of commerce and industry being disputed. It must be admitted that, to an operator, there is some attraction in the pedspect. of relief from financial and administrative worries which participating parties might expect to be spared. On the other hand, it must be remembered that in any large combine individual operators must, of necessity, lose their individuality and personality; both of these are strong elements which, surely, should be fostered rather than submerged.
There is another point to be considered whicheis of vital importance, and that is tire question of security of tenure for owners who might -become merged in a group concern. Any operator contemplating the merging of his individual business in that of a syndicate shotald first satisfy himself—in addition to ,other consideration's—as to the future security
of his position. , It would indeed be a sorry state cdaffairs if—after building up a successful business b37 dint of hard perseverance—an operator should eventually find himself eliminated from the group. -By that time, of course, his personal connections would have disappeared, and the chances are that he would be unable to re-establish himself in the haulage industry. In that event, he would be laced with the necessity of making an eetirely fresh start in life. Operators'', therefore, would' do well to consider carefully before ". throwing away the bone for the shadow." ,
The Industry Must Retain
the Small Operator
As to the retention of the individual unit, there is much tp be said for this. Quite frequently the small operator knows personally and is known by his various customers; and he is, therefore, in a position to , render service of a personal character. This, for obvious reasons, is not possible in the case of a large combine. The competition which prevails at the present time is considerably healthier than that which existed formerly, in that the. " cutthroat " element 'has disappeared ,almost .entirely. This, doubtless, is 'largely due to the statutoty control of the industry by regulatidns. On balance, one is .inclined to the view that the elimination of the small opefator would be an incalculable loss to the haulage industry, as well as being detrimental to -the trading community.. Therefore, every.effort should be made to retain him as an independent integral part of road
transport. . • All the schemes proposed would appear to have been focused upon large operating concerns, and, apparently, with but little consideration for the small operator. There is, at this time, an Opportunity for the Ministry of War Transport and the national organizations to make some declaration of policy in reference to the mall man. Any such declaration would, I am sure, be abundantly appreciated by the small operator, who has cause to feel that he is, to a large extent, cold-shouldered when schemes, often of vital importance to the whole of the haulage industry and to his present and future well-being are planned. Surely he has the right to expect some definite statement of policy, with particular regard to his position and status in the industry.