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Is a Road Haulage Pool Needed ?

7th September 1945
Page 23
Page 23, 7th September 1945 — Is a Road Haulage Pool Needed ?
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

Observatioas Concerning a M ve Which is Causing • Discussion rnongst Hauliers

Consi. cleraNe By "Tantalus"

T present there is considerable t lk amongst hauliers concerning the proposal of the .H-A. to establish a national haulage pool. Ma y hauliers are suspicious, perplexed and anxious to kn w what really lies behind the scheme. They are far from satisfied that the reasons stated by the promoters are not merely a camouflage to hide the real motive. They won er if it he possible that the alleged necessity is merely a cloak to cover the desires of ambitious persons to attain osition `and possess power in order to control the road haul go industry. Time has not totally effaced from their memories previous attempts of a similar nature which, ha they been successful, might, in course of time, have brought the industry_ under a form of monopolistic control One of these was the famous " Hindley " scheme and the other " Traffic Movement, Ltd." Despite much propaganda effort and financial outlay, neither of flier projects survived to become a living organism.

It must be more than a pure coinmdence, surely, that all the foregoing schemes have emanated from the same source. No other national road transPort association can claire a similar record. A great deal lof water has flowed under the bridges since the days of tho1e two schemes.

Naturally, the time for introducing a national haulage pool has been chosen carefully, Rill [regard liatiing been paid to the prevailing conditions and circumstances in order to lend enchantment to the idea and enhance the prospect of success, It will be recalled that TM., Ltd., was created by the A.R.O. in the early days of the war, when the outlook was promising and before the M.O.W.T. had entered the field as a competitor or a dictator in this particular sphere of transport. The A.R.0, being prevented from trading by the terms of its constitution, TM., Ltd., provided the necessary medium.

A Clearing House for Government Traffic?

It is apparent that the proposal of the R.H.A. to form a company under the suggested title, "Road Haulage Association (Traffic Pool)," constitutes a fresh attempt to possess operational control. In an endeavour to remove suspicion and doubt regarding the contemplated activities, the promoters state that the. company will be run on a non profit basis. Presumably, the main idea is that the company shall act as a clearing house for Government traffics and, in addition, enter the competitive market as traffic agents. In effect, this would mean the control of vehicles by means of traffic allocation, following the process employed in the administration of the Government R.H.O.

Hauliers, having "enjoyed " a wide experience of the full meaning of controls, fail to understand why it is proposed to impose another such system in peace-time. They are mostly " fed up " with being told what they must or must not do, and with being under the direction of one or more officials; whilst the filling in of various forms has made them wary of any suggested continuity of control in any form. Members of the haulage industry are conscious of the hardships they have endured and are influenced bitthe knowledge they possess in respect of many businesses closed owing to loss of traffics and the subsequent withdrawal of petrol supplies. The wasted mileage,

delays and uneconomic operation are not forgotten. Also • remembered are the definite promises of the N.R.T.F. and the RITA. to press with vigour for the removal of control and the restoration of private enterprise. These promises were proclaimed with apparent sincerity by association officials from various platforms. No wonder hauliers are perturbed by the prospect of the M.O.W,T. Road Haulage Organization being replaced by a similar body, although sponsored by _their own association.

In giving thoughtful consideration to the proposals of the R.11.A., haulage contractors must ask themselves whether such a company be really necessary and whether it be likely te prove of benefit to the industry. There must be complete satisfaction that the interests of the small operator will be safeguarded equally with those of the larger. units. There should be the assurance of a fair and just allocation of trffie, and this not governed by favour or the pulling of strings. In the words of Mr. R. A. Pierson, contained in his frank and commendable article published in the issue of " The Commercial Motor "dated August 10, 1945, the members of the industry must know, without a shadow of doubt, that the proposed company is not merely a change of address from Berkeley Square to New Bond • Street. Hauliers must weigh with care the criticisms contained in the Report of the National Committee of Expenditure regardina the operation of the Government Scheme.

Some Questions Which Require Answers

The question ot administrative and operational costs is one which must be considered. It is proposed that the administration of the company shall be conducted through the national and area "machinery, with central and area managements. Upon, whose shoulders will fall the necessary expenditure? Having regard to the fact that the company is to be run on a non-profit basis, will the expenditure be met oqt of the general funds which, of course, are provided by the members, or, is it proposed to charge a commission on all traffics carried? If the latter he the case the Pool will become neither more nor less than a system of clearing houses, It is essential that details be made known in respect of the measure of authority which it is proposed shall be invested in officials, as also in the management committees. In these matters haViers would be well advised to take a long view and not to be too deeply influenced by what present-day application may mean.

There is so much to he done that the end cannot be foreshadowed; for not only Great Britain, but also the Empire and all Europe are hungry for goods. Upon our exports depend the tempo of progress and recovery. It is absolutely essential, if commerce and industry are to forge ahead with all possible speed, that they must be served by the efficient road transport services which they formerly enjoyed. Those were the days when bureaucracy was unknown and when operators could cater for the individual needs of customers. Those engaged-in the road haulage industry, must think deeply on these things. before deciding whether not only their interests but the national needs would be better served by the acceptance of a system of bureaucratic control from within the industry itself.


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