Will Hauliers Regain Their Freedom?
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I BELIEVE that "The Commercial Motor" is doing
more to enlighten and help the rank and file of road operators than any association in existence. It is very often possible to read in it news that association mem• biers are not informed of until weeks after.
No in the article by " Tantalus " on a letter from " Bristol Haulier," he states, in answer to the question' Will hauliers be free after the war to do as they think fit? " "Of course they will not."
If that be so, how can hauliers formulate a scheme to employ our fighting men, .when to-day we cannot engage a man without consent and permission from the authorities?
I, as "Bristol Haulier," would like " Tantalus " th .know that I have tried, through association channels, tb help and have felt fed' up and frustrated. That is why am writing to "The Commercial Motor."
. I agree with the remark" The whole edifice is a monument of indifference and selfishness."
If that be so, what can we do about it? I have faith in, the rank and file of hauliers, because they are men who are not afraid to work and fight. Sole '90 per cent. of them know what it was to work night and day to lay the foundations of their present-day business.
It has been said many times lately that the British do not fight until they have to, and that they always win the last battle!
,Let the powers that be take heed, of the rumbling already to be heard. How does the Transport and General Workers' Union answer its members when they complain that they have lost •R2 or. £3 per Week under unit-control working? What do its members say about control after the war? The Union's interest is .as vital as ours and it will not he able to sit on the fence.
Surely the.time is more than ripe to sink all differences,
get together and share alike, be it for better or worse, remembering the saying "What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul."
Bristol. BRISTOL HAULIER.
THE letter in " The Commercial Motor " dated September 24, written by Mr. R. Elwick, concerning the M.O.W.T. Haulage Scheme, although mild in tone, brings to light a state of affairs which is bound to have a serious effect on the human aspect and it invites further comment.
This so-called Road Haulage Scheme might be more appropriately named "A political stunt."
Itreeks with the odour of nationalization, it is killing the incentive spirit of employ-er and employee alike, it is creating the feeling that the whole structure is designed to smother the industry, including those of more than 20 years' experience with the initial hard work, risk of capital, struggle against persecution and the trade slump.
The exnmple given by R. Elwick could be multiplied many times, to the delight of certain politicians and the disgust of the organizers of a would-be progressive industry. •
Can any person say that the industry -has ever let the country down in time of need? Although it may truthfully be said that, pre-war, much wasteful running was in evidence, the answer to that is, the vicious rates offered by some houses, and trade depression.
A vast industry such as road transport will never be a success under the heel of professional politicians, and if these latter would get on with their job, put their own house in order and leave industry to work out its own salvation, I believe post-war prospects would be much brighter.
The political situation, in retrospect, bears 'unmistakable evidence that politicians have more than enough to keep themselves busy with their own affairs, and road transport would be safe in exclaiming to the wouldbe political " Poo-Babs "—hands off and mind your own job.
To compel leaders of an industry into any scheme at the point of a pistol is no way to ensure smooth working, and who is there, now in the new scheme, who is really happy about it?
This is my modest. support of B. Elwiek, and I trust that some more able pen than mine will take up this
important matter. H. Bear. Accrington.