A R.O. -Protest Answered by "Tantalus"
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VriE have received the following communication from Mr. D. Richardson, chairman, A.R.O.:—
• "I feel it necessary to draw your and your readers' attention to the following sentence in an article by Tantalus ' There is the A.R.O., with its preponderance of hauliers on the membership roll, which has been silent on the question of the post-war status of hauliers and the reinstatement in the industry of members now serving their country.'
" I am more than surprised at this statement, which necessitates a categorical denial. Surely the , speeches made by the rresident of -the A.R.O. during the past tsvoor three months, which have received wide publicity, including that of your own journal, make perfectly clear the attitude of this Association with regard to the freedom which we demand for the haulage industry after the war. This, and the reinstatement in the industry of the members now serving in the Forces, appeared in the 10 points which have been published in your own paper, which he so ably stated at the annual meeting of the Association."
This letter was brought to the notice of our contributor " Tantalus,"• who makes the following observations:—
" In reply to the statement made by Mr. D. Richardson, Chairman of the A.R.O., that the attitude of this Association regarding the post-war status of hauliers and the reinstatement of members of the industry now serving in he Forces, has been made perfectly clear. This is not borne out by the facts. Mr. Richardson quotes the hauliers' decalogue, consisting of 10 points as enumerated by the President of the A.R.O., as supporting evidence. A close scrutiny of these. fails to reveal any specific reference to the particular points to which .1 referred in my article.
" Is it the policy of the A.R.O. to figlat for the pre-war status of hauliers to be restored, even though a smaller number of vehicles is now operative through no fault of the haulier? Also, is it the policy of the A.R.O. to fight for the claim of the members of the industry, now serving" with H.M. Forces, to be reinstated if they so desire?
" As Mr. Richardson gives a categorical denial of my statement, I claim equal rights for categorical assurance on these two poinks, not for personal reasons, but -to allay the uneasiness and fear, particularly amongst the small hauliers, many •of whom are members of the A.R.O."