News of the Week
Page 18

If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
Early Prospect of Big Association Merger
THE operation of the Government's , haulage scheme, the proposed_ 'merger of the various haulage Ussociatons in the country, and the future of the industry., were Matters discussed at an A.R.O. meeting of road haulage operators which was held at the Albert Hotel, Nottingham, on October 6.
Mr. W G. Cooper, .East Midland Area chairman, said that the operation of the Government scheme was, bound to hit and miss at its inception. Some of the complaints made by operators were well founded, but he felt that the majority would be rectified when the scheme came into full operation. The Government had said that it was only a war-time measure, and, as such, it was the duty of operators to co-operate to make it a success. In that way they would obviate any criticism, which might eventually be used as a lever for nationalization.
Dealing with the proposed merger, Mr. Cooper said the seven national associations had now agreed to come into the scheme. The planning subcommittee, of which he was a member, was now working out the details. He assured them that the permanent officials of the various associations would not place any obstruction in the way of the merger On the question 61 the future of the industry, Mr. Cooper stressed the need for a clear policy to be presented by the road haulage industry... To-day there was too much talk about what they did not want. It seemed that one of .the most important needs was a national cites schedule, and he thought that one way of meeting it would be to extend the Railway Rates Tribunal into a Transport Rates Tribunal. .