AT THE HEART OF THE ROAD TRANSPORT INDUSTRY.

Call our Sales Team on 0208 912 2120

News of the Week

12th February 1943
Page 20
Page 21
Page 22
Page 23
Page 20, 12th February 1943 — News of the Week
Close
Noticed an error?
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.

Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

Keywords : Truck, Nationalization

BETTER HOSTELS FOR LORRY MEN QPEAKThiG to road-transport men at

Stoke-on-Trent, Mr: A. McLaren, M.P., said that the Ministries of Supply, Labour, Transport and Food are considering a suggestion for a number of good-class hostels for long-distance lorry drivers. They would have bathrooms, dining-rooms, rest-rooms, bedrooms, and parking space where lorries and their loads could be kept under supervision white the drivers rest._

FUTURE 'MEETINGS OF ,H.M.F.

IVIEETINGS at which the aims and J.V .objects of Hauliers' Mutual Federation, the new association for hauliers, will be described, are to be held at Exeter. on Wednesday, February 24, at 2.30 p.m., at Dellers Café, Queen Street, and at Plymouth on Thursday, February 25, at 2.30 p.m., at the Continental Hotel, Millbay Road.

REQUISITIONED-VEHICLE COMPENSATION SYSTEM CRITICIZED

I T was suggested in the -House of Commons, last week, by Sir William Wayland, that Lord Leathers should Consider amending the compensation for requisitioned motor lorries and. trailers, because, at present, a requisitioned vehtcle was valued at an officiallow figure, and a heavy outlay for a new vehicle was Incprred by the original owner. He proposed that the value of the replacement vehicle should be taken and that a sum equivalent to the period of use which the old vehicle had served should be discounted from the first figure.

Mr: Nod-Baker answered that the payment to be made in compensation for a ve!hicle acquired under the Defence (General) Regulations was .governed by the provisions of Section 4 (7) of the Compensation (Defence) Act., 1939. To pay compensation on the basis suggested by Sie William Wayland would not be in accordance with these provisions.

" Do you consider it better to retain an injuStice than to try te remedy it? " asked Sir W. Wayland.

. " I must apply the law," said Mr.

Noel-Baker. ' If you are suggesting an amendment of the law, that raises broad issues which would have to be dealt with By the Treasury."

JOINT ORGANIZATION REVIEWS r THE POSITION THE annual general meeting of the East Lancashire Road Transport Association and Commercial Motor Users Association (Joint Organization) was held.. at Blackburn last Saturday. The chairman, Mr. J. Ainsworth, presided. -The secretary gave a résumé of the annual report, dealing particularly with the present position of the Government Scheme for the control of long,distance road transport and the difficulties which had arisen with reference to terms suggested for the payment of controlled units.

The decision of the R.T.C. limiting the rates for raw-cotton traffic was also discussed; it transpired that this matter was being considered by the Road and Rail Central Conference, as a point of vital principle was at stake.

The progress of the negotiations for an amalgamation of the national associations was reported, it being stated that further progress was -expected in the immediate future.

On voting for the executive vacancies, the following members were. appointed :—Aand B-licence holders: Messrs. J. A. Duxbury, H. Harwood and J. Hindle. C-licence holders : Mr. J. Mather.

MR. SEWILL TO VISIT EASTERN AREA

ON February 15. the A.R.O. National Director, Mr. R. W. Sewill, will attend a meeting of Eastern Area members to be held at 2.30 p.m., at the Dorothy Cafe. Cambridge. He will speak on the new Government Road Haulage Scheme, the grouping of short-distance operators, and the future of the industry.

THOMAS TILLING'S REPORT

MI-IE report of Thomas Tilling, Ltd., ior 1942, shows a profit of £535,392, • after providing for debenture stock and other interest. An interim dividend of 5 per cent. on the ordinary stock took £206,400, and the preference dividend for the half-year £8,250, so that the balance available, after adding E1fzi7,305 brought in,. is £488,447. A final dividend of 5 per cent, is to be paid on the ordinary stock, and after this and the preference dividend for the second half of the year have been met, arid £100,000-allocated to general reserve is deducted, there is a balance -of £174,197 to be carried forward.

GOVERNMENT HAULAGE RATES UNACCEPTABLE VOLLOWING discussions with the M. of W.T., the S.J.C. has received the schedules of rates for vehicles to be hired under the Government Haulage Scheme. •

In this connection, the S.J.C. has sent a resolution to the Ministry reaffirming its desire to make the utmost contribution to the victory and to accept all necessary sacrifice to that end. It recognizes the need to conserve fuel and rubber, and appreciates the expressed intention of the Minister to maintain the road haulage industry as a vital reserve.

It regrets, ' however, that the financial terms offered are Such that the Minister's object of preserving the virility and efficiency -of the industry as a whole will not be achieved. Their acceptance cannot, therefore, be recommended, and the Finance Panel is requested to make further efforts to secure from the Minister satisfactory terms for both controlled undertakings and, operators of hired vehicles.

" C.M." IS INDEPENDENT rERTAIN people are ventilating the idea that this journalis in some way connected with the newly formed body, the Hauliers' Mutual Federation. This is entirely erroneous, but may be due to the fact that Mr. H. Scott Hall, who is a frequent contributor to this journal, is the secretary. '' The Commercial Motor :' remains completely independent. and "can thus give unbiased comment upon all moves in the indestry.

A.R.O. NORTH LONDON MEETING .

MEXT Thursday, February 18. the

annual general meeting of the North London (Metropolitan) Sub. Area of A.R.O. will be held at the Angel Hotel, Edmonton. N., commencing at 2 p.m. " ALL-RECLAIM " TYRES UNECONOMIC N a Parliamentary question addressed Ito the Minister of Supply, last week, Mr. Parker stated that 15,000,000 motor t) -es for civilian requirements, made entirely of reclaimed rubber, had been scheduled for production in America. In view of this fact be suggested the production, here, of " all-reclaim " motor-tyre retreading materials. , Sir, 'Ara,1rew Duncan replied that it would be wasteful to make any type of tyre retread material wholly of " reclaim," because such material gave a less reliable article with a ,shorter life.

THE INDUSTRY'S FUTURE: DEBATE POSTPONED

(VVING to the illness of Mr. H. Allen, 14.-lof Rochdale, it was found necessary for the Eastern Sector of the NorthWestern C.M.U.A. to postpone the debate on the future of the industry, I ram the standpoint of the grouping scheme, which was to have been held in MadcheSter a few days ago. Mr. Allen intended to move that control of road transport from within (as opposed to legislative control) was in tht best interests of the industry. Mr, E. F. Topharn intended to lead the opposition with a plea for individual initiative,and enterprise.

LAST TYNE TOLL BRIDGES TO BE FREED

STEPS are being taken by Northumberland County Council to acquire and free from tolls the Newburn and Ovingliam bridges, which are the last remaining toll bridges across the River Tyne. The Ministry of War Transport fias informed the county council that a 50 per cent. grant will be forthcoming towards the cost.

Agitation for the freeing of th% bridges was started some months ago by the local authorities of Newburn, Prudhoe, Ryton and others.

TRANSPORT BRAINS TRUST OPPOSES NATIONALIZATION

1 AST wgek, Col. A. Jarrett, transport

ontroller of Lewis's, Ltd.; was one of a Brains Trust on Transport organized by the Merseyside Civic Society. One question submitted was: " Shmilld road and rail transport • be nationalized? " • "No." replied Col. Jerrett. Is reasons were that it would abolish the competitive spirit, which was necessary for progress, and might lead' to the danger of bureaucratic control. Other members of the Brains Trust agreed with him.

• COMMISSIONER'S 'TRIBUTE TO BUS WORKERS THE Est MidlandRegional Transport Commissioner, Mr. J. H. Stirk, has addressed a personal message of thanks to 10,.000 bus workers in the region for the part they have played during more than three years of war.

" The bus industry has been all out," he writes, " on the 'war effort. Difficulties of every description have had to be overcome—shortage of fuel with resultant overcrowding, shortage

of mechanics with harder work for the few left, and, particularly, shortage of operating staff. Many tributes have been rightly paid to the splendid work being done =by bus crews. Day in and day out, in black-out and fog, the bus hhs done its job, and workers have been carried to factories for essential work connected with the war effort."

LINCOLN WITHoRAWS BUS-TRAVEL CONCESSION

FOR a number . of years, Lincoln Corporation has encouraged shoppers to come intothe city for shopping and other purposes by giving halHare concession to travel anywhere on the buses between 9.0 a.m. and 11.30 a.m. However, at the request of the East Midland Regional Transport Commissioner that all nonessential travel was to be discouraged, the corporation is withdrawing this concession from February 8.

SEARCH YOUR GA RAGE FOR SALVAGE

A N appeal to feed the munition *mills rkwith raw materials by thoroughly spring-cleaning garages has been issued by the Directorate of Salvage and Recovery, Ministry of -Supply.

Much "junk ' of real value to ttre war effort is still lying about in garages, and a thorough searchof premises will often reveal material suitable for the war factories. Any average, establishment can provide cracked castings, broken crankcases, damaged wings or body stampings, wheels or tyres, brass from old accessdries, replaced tools, files and hacksaws, nuts and bolts, torn rags, odd' 1engths of rope and string, and often a considerable amount of paper in the way of hills, etc.

Now that we are passing-over to the offensive on all fronts, let us carry it into the garage—but not to customers!

RESTRICTIONS ON FURNITURE REMOVAL

FROM February 20, normal movement of furniture by road will be allowed up to 60 miles from the loading point, but where rails facilities are suitable for distances less than this, • the R.T.C, may rule that the latter shall be used. Only in exceptional circumstances will distances in excess of 60 miles by road be permitted, and each case. must be referred to the R.T.C.

PRODUCTION OF HAND TOOLS NOW CONTROLLED

U1 INDER. a new Order issued by the X./Ministry of Supply, the production of complete hand tools,' tools without handles, or wooden handles for them, ' is prohibited, except under licence. Moreover, "production " means either manufacture or assembly. The definition of such a tool is one not requiring any power other than human to operate it.

One important exception relates to tool production by any manufacture? in his own works by his workpeople, and not for disposal to the trade.

This licensing of Makers represents the first step in the co-ordination of production and distribution. It will eliminate unnecessary types and sizes.

Makers interested should apply for licence forms to the Director of Hand Tools, Ministry of Supply, " Woodthorne," Tettenhall, Staffs.

BID TO SPEED UP FORTH ROAD BRIDGE PROJECT

THE scheme for a rod bridge across the River Forth is to be speeded • up'. Local-authority representatives at a confesence in Edinburgh, last week, decided unanimously to press forward " with all possible speed " the engineering plans and other details of the project, with a view to submitting them to the Ministry of War Transport.

Representatives of Edinburgh, West Lothian, Midlothian, South Queensferry, Kirkcaldy, Fife, Inverkeithing, ind Dunfermline attended the con.,ference, which was presided over by Lord Provost William Y. Darling. The

. unanimous opinion of the representatives was that the projtct should go forward in the form now approved—a bridge over the Mackintosh Rock, • financed by the Ministry of War Transport and local authorities. The cost of a bridge at that point before the war was estimated at £3,260,000.

DO NOT WASTE AN OUNCE OF PAPER! PrHE saving for salvage of every 1 scrap of " waste " paper should be the aim of every individual, on the . principle that " many a mickle makes a -muckle." As proof of this, it may be interesting to mention that if every household saved 4 oz. of paper per week the total would be nearly 1,500 tons in' that period, or 75,000 tons a

AN ANNOUNCEMENT•FOR MILK • HAULIERS WHEN a milk haulier is informed

that his work is to be included in a rationalization scheme, he is advised to establish contact with the haulage representative on the appropriate Regional Advisory Committee, the address of which can be obtained fthm the R.T.C.-'s office or the Regional Office el the Milk Marketing Board. Failing all these, he can communicate with the secretary of the National Conference of Milk Carriers, 120, Pall Mall,' London, S.W.1.

ELECTION OF C.M.U.A. SOUTH WALES OFFICERS "

-rHE following were elected as officers 1 and committee members at the recent annual general meeting of the South Wales Division of the Commercial Motor Users' Association:— Divisional Chairman : Mr. E.. V. Ralph, Abertillery.

Goods Vehicle Section: Chairman, 'Mr. J. L. John, M.B.E., Gorseinon. Vice-chairman, Mr. H. J. Cridland, Cardiff. Committee: Messrs. . R. A. Bevan, A. J. Brooks, H. M. Davies; J. E. Evans, C. L. Thomas, T. 13. (;ravell, C. E. Frowen, A. C. Colley, R. Davies, G. F. Rees, D. W. Small.

Passenger Vehicle Section : ChairMan, Mr. E. V. Ralph, Abertillery. Vice-chairman, Mr. H. A. Taylor, Swansea. Committee: Messrs. A. E. Brewer, David Jones, W. E. Gough, 11. M. Davies, Col. R. G. Llewellyn,

0.13.E.; J. D. Evans, Ivor J. Jones, S. j. Davies, A. G. Gibbs, F. Stephens, C. G. Hill, W. T. Jones, A. T. Chivers,

G. Williams. • The annual repOrt showed that the division had made good progress. SATISFACTORY TRADING OF TRANSPORT SERVICES

A MONGST our advertisements this

week is a report of the sixth a.g.rn of Transport Services, Ltd. The chairman, Mr. H. • C. Drayton, M.Inst.T., said that the gross profit was £172,800 against £L61.700, the net amount available being .208,400 against Zl0,000. The directors declared a dividend on the preference shares, and a-first interim of 4 per cent. and a second interim of 6 per cent, on the ordinary shares; £66,000 has been transferred to general reserve, bringing this to 4100,000.

Referring to the financial arrangements in. connection with the M. of W.T. Road Haulage Scheme, he stated that the remuneration proposed is not generous—in fact, it may be termed inadequate.

It seems curious that the company has to submit a further set of accounts as a basis of remerneration under the Scheme. Already it has to Make one set of profit computations for E.P.T., and another set -for income tax, both different from, and additional to, the accounts presented to shareholders. Now, if the Ministry Scheme goes through, a fourth set of accounts for remuneration will be necessary and this with staffs considerably depleted by the 'call-up.

• During the eight .months of the, current year, the gross turnover_ has ' equalled that in the same period of last year.


comments powered by Disqus