The Benefits of Unity
Page 21
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0 UR news regarding the amalgamation, last week, of the Commercial Motor Users Association and Associated Road Operators came as a surprise to the majority of road transport men, including the bulk of the members of the associations concerned. Negotiations have been carried on very quietly, and, in fact, the only direct public reference to them was made in this journal a few weeks ago.
We are particularly pleased, as we have for long been striving for unity and fuller representation of every side of road transport. When, in 1930, with .Mr. E. 13. Hutchinson, we laid the foundation of the Long Distance Road Haulage Committee, which, through successive mergers, became, first, the Long Distance Road Haulage Association, then the Road Haulage Association, and, finally, Associated Road Operators, our intention was to obtain more adequate recognition of the haulage interests. Hitherto these.had been sadly neglected, 'and we hoped to build up an important' body which would eventually either work in concord with other associations or link with them to present a united front against injustice and oppression.
It had appeared that this would come to pass a year ago, so far as the two leading associations were concerned, but negotiations broke down at
Transport
the last moment, and for a time it seemed that the difficulties in the way of a merger were insurmountable. Fortunately, important officials on both sides did not give up hope, and with a commendable degree of giveand-take, which augurs well for the future of the joint body, unity has at last been attained. • This may well mark a vitally important milestone in the progress of road transport, for it is the intention of the organizers to adopt the best methods employed by each association and to give better service to the individual members. On the broad issues, a membership of some 18,000 operators will greatly enhance the value • of any representation made to the Government, and particularly to the Minister of Transport and the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
It is probable that many users of commercial vehicles have hitherto hesitated to join either association, perhaps through doubt as to its relative merits, and the hew move should have the effect of greatly, increasing the membership. The individual operator, without a strong body to support his efforts, is not ariy himself in a precarious situation, but is weakening the attempts which are being made to promote the interests of the whole industry, and he will now have no excuse for not putting his shoulder to the wheel and adding his pound to the force available.
Progress