B.R.S. in the R.H.A.
Page 25
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WHEN, as they surely will, the national council of the Road Haulage Association approve the proposals to admit B.R.S. Federation companies to membership of the R.H.A., a major step will have been taken to strengthen the top-level representation of the road haulage industry. Unfortunately, memories are long, and there still exists a minority viewpoint, both within the R.H.A. and among B.R.S. staff, that cannot let drop the now tattered and faded flags which flew in the heat of the original nationalization and denationalization battles of 1947-48 and 1953.
There are now working in road haulage a very large number of young people who regard even 1953 as "pure history ". It is water under the bridge, and must he treated as such. The attitude of the Transport Holding Company is now becoming very clear—they regard themselves as -a commercial concern, and expect to be treated as such. This coming together of the two " sides " is an excellent trend and must be encouraged.
Not a little of the credit should go to the immediate past chairman of the R.H.A., Mr. Derek Good, for it was in his term of office the talks first began. Voting powers and representation have been two of the most difficult administrative problems to overcome. The use of the phrase "special category of membership" for B.R.S. would indicate that a solution has been—or soon will be—found. There will also undoubtedly be some short-term concern about the political situation and possible implications on the membership of B.R.S.
The great thing is that all these are " domestic " matters. Both sides want this step, and The Commercial Motor applauds their attitude.