Passing Comments

11th November 1955, Page 94

11th November 1955

Page 94

Page 95

Page 94, 11th November 1955 — Passing Comments

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Keywords : Business, Economic Geology, Coal, Coal Mining, Fuels, Sales

The Old, Old Story

IN the House of Commons, last week, Mr.

Blenkinsop carried on the Labour war of attrition against hauliers. He complained of the small fines imposed on operators convicted of offences concerning drivers' hours and records. Apparently, he regards as insignificant a fine of 10 on each of, perhaps, 20 summonses for substantially similar offences.

He also ignored the huge costs which magistrates have recently been awarding. In some cases they have been far in excess of the fines and in one instance they alone totalled £956, compared with fines of £195. Mr. Blenkinsop must be a wealthy man to laugh off £1,000 or so.

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Soviet v. British Coal Production

ARECENT comment concerning " Miners' Day" in Soviet News was somewhat intriguing. It read: "The Soviet miners are proud that they provide their people with energy, warmth and light. Year in, year out, they step up the output of the coal so necessary for the development of the country's national economy. In 1940, output totalled 166m. tons." Many mines were devastated but this year's estimated 390m. will be 40m. up on 1954. .

How favourably this compares with the production in Britain, which has fallen so seriously since pre-war days. This involves the country in purchasing millions of tons abroad and constitutes a grave threat to our national economy and iron and steel output.

Emphasis on the -Roads A T the ninth annual dinner-dance of the Institute

of Road Transport Engineers on December 2, at the Connaught Rooms, London, W.C.2, the principal guest of honour will be Dr. W. H. Glanville, C.B., C.B.E., Director of Research, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research.

Apart from being one of the most knowledgeable men in this country concerned with the technicalities involved in the construction and use of highways, he took a notable part in the experiments and research leading up to the successful bombing of German dams during the last war.' Many will to doubt have noticed his name in connection with the film 'The Dam Busters,", in which he is represented by an actor.

Engineers responsible for the repair and maintenance of large fleets of goods and passenger • vehicles all over the country will be attending and, as in former years, there will be a large representation of the manufacturing and trade sides of the com mercial motor industry.

This Year the Institute attained a strength of over 2,000 members, of whom some 200 are abroad in various parts of the world. Many of the overseas members are particularly concerned with the transport operated by oil companies.

Return of the Salesman

ALTHOALTHOUGH primarily produced for salesmen of UGH trucks and Vauxhall cars, the film "We Who Sell," seen in London recently, is likely to be of interest to all those whose livelihood depends on selling.

Seen through the eyes of a salesman, who appears in the film only as a shadow, the audience is reminded that, after a lapse of 16 years or so, he is once again the man who helps to make life easier for millions of people. Described at the architect who draws the plan for fuller living, he must possess amongst other attributes something of those of a psychiatrist, designer, teacher, philosopher and economist. In fact, the salesman, if he is to be successful, must recognize the value and significance of the position he holds.

Copies of this film which runs for 10 minutes can be obtained on loan from the Vauxhall Motor Co., Ltd., Luton.

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