News of the Week
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WHY LICENCE RESTRICTIONS ARE SOMETIMES RELAXED
SOME operators of Band C-licensed vehicles are vague as to the reason why certain of these vehicles are permitted to work for hire or reward or without the ordinary restrictions; in other words, just as if they had an A defence permit.
The reason is that in some areas there has been or is a considerable shortage of vehicles working under an A licence, and in a few important areas what is known as a " blanket " permit is given, under special circumstances, but the permit is cancelled when and if sufficient hauliers become available, for it is not fair to the industry to permit the entry into this business of all and sundry when the more legitimate operators can still cope with the work.
INTER-COUNTY LINK BETWEEN TRANSPORT ORGANIZATIONS
ASCHEME for an inter-county alliance between the Federation of Yorkshire Road Transport Employers and the Lincolnshire Transport Association was approved, last week, at meetings of members of these two bodies. At the same time, the Lincolnshire organization decided to apply for affiliation to the National Road Transport Employers' Federation, to which
• the Yorkshire Federation and the Sheffield Horse and Motor Owners' Association are affiliated.
The immediate aim of the intercounty alliance is to broaden the link which was formed when the Lincolnshire Association became affiliated to the Yorkshire Federation, but its extension beyond these bodies and, possibly, beyond the borders of Yorkshire and Lancashire is visualized by the promoters. The scheme provides for the establishment of a joint stand ing committee comprising representatives of the participating organizations, this committee to meet periodically as an instrument for consultation and, when necessary, joint action.
There will be systematic exchange of current information concerning the activities of the allied organizations, with a view to co-ordination of their work when desirable. Another point in the plan is that representatives of the organizations will confer before each meeting of the Council of the National Federation of Road Transport Employers as to their attitude concerning the items on the national agenda.
Occasions may arise when joint county representations concerning operators' problems will be made to the respective Transport Commissioners for the North-eastern and North Midland regions.
Explaining the alliance scheme at a meeting of the Lincolnshire Association, Mr. Jesse Hind (bon. secretary) said Doncaster would afford a convenient "half-way house" for meetings of the joint committee, at which the chairman of each organization could preside in turn. Mr. F. Hunt (chairman) and several members spoke m favour of the alliance, which, suggested Mr. Harry Clark (manager and secretary of the Yorkshire Federation), would give a lead to other counties.
REASONS FOR GROUPING ' DELIVERY VEHICLES
THE saving of fuel by arranging for the grouping of delivery vehicles in various areas is not the only reason for this action being required. The other is to ensure a reasonable delivery service with economy in both vehicles and man power. Some traders have taken the view that if they can promise a reduction in their fuel consumption, this will avoid the need for grouping. This is not the proper view to take.
MORE PAY FOR TRANSPORT BOARD'S WORKERS
A SPECIAL tribunal has been conrlssidering a claim for an increase of wages for London Transport workers, lodged by the Transport and General Workers Uniors. As a result of an award dated March 6, and commencing from the pay period immediately following that date, all male workers -over' 21 will receive an additional 4s. per week. Women substituting men will be paid 90 per cent, of the increase for the first six months, and the full amount altar this period. Employees under 21 will have their pay increased proportionately.
NO DELAY IN GRANTING LICENCES TO ACQUIRE
APARLIAMENTARY question by Lt. Butcher addressed to the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport, last week, related to the period taken by the Ministry to decide whether a licence for the purchase of a new vehicle should be granted, in the case of applications recommended by the Regional Transport Commissioner.
Mr. Noel-Baker replied that he was sending Lt. Butcher a note of the procedure on applications for licences to acquire motor vehicles, He would see that where the application had been supported by the Regional Transport Commissioner there was no delay except when insufficient vehicles were asvailable. ARE DRIVERS COMMITTING INDISCRETIONS?
OMPLAINT was made at a meeting of the management committee of the Liverpool Retail Buying Committee of breaches of confidence by the drivers of meat-carrying motor vehicles. It was alleged that while delivering meat to shops drivers had been known to disclose the contents of delivery notes to traders not entitled to see them. This had caused discontent, A resolution was adopted calling upon the transport authority to instruct drivers to refrain from this practice.
PRIDE OF DRIVERS OF CHARTERED VEHICLES
LAST week we referred to the first work of the chartered fleet under the Government Road Haulage Scheme. Further to this, we learn that the drivers were particularly pleased with the knowledge that they were performing direct work for the Government. One even sported a metal crown in his cap, and this brings to mind the possibility of giving them some form of official badge, although, of course, the lorries themselves are labelled.
Operators, generally, are asking in considerable number for the " quicker turnroand " posters issued by the Ministry. They appreciate that the effort is beneficial to them as well as to the Nation.
C.M.U.A. DIVISION HAS RECORD INCOME TN the 24th annual report of the 'Liverpool and North Wales Division of the C.M.U.A., submitted to the annual meeting held at Liverpool, a few days ago, reference is made to the passing of Port of Liverpool Reiad
Transport Control, Ltd. It is considered unfortunate, states the report, that a foundation upon which so much has been built must now be sacrificed' in favour of the Hauliers' National Traffic Pool.
There have been fewer calls on the Division's legal defence scheme. Concerning the finances of the Division, there has been a record income and a record surplus.
Mr. C. J. de Burgh was re-elected chairman and Capt. J. A. Baker vicechairman
SIR STAFFORD CRIPPS ON CROWN'S ACCIDENT LIABILITY
IN theHouse of Commons last week, Sir John Mellor asked the Prime Minister whether he would give time for a discussion of the Motion standing in the name of the Member for Tamworth, relating to the Crown Proceedings Bill:—
" That this House, in view of theincreasing frequency of injuries inflicted by servants of the Crown upon its subjects, for which redress cannot be obtained, and in order that the Crown shall become liable to be sued in tort, urges the Government to introduce forthwith, as a Bill, Clause 11 of the draft Bill, prepared by the Crown Proceedings Committee at the request of Lord Chancellor* Birkenhead and Haldarie and presented in 1927."
Replying, Sir Stafford Cripps said he did not consider that it would serve any useful purpose to give time for the discussion of the Motion, as the Government did not propose to introduce legislation upon the lines of Clause 11 of the draft Crown Proceedings Bill. The belief in the need for such legislation to protect the subjects of the Crown was based upon a misunderstanding of the present position. For years it had been, and was still, the ;invariable practice of the Crown to accept the same responsibility for the acts of its servants as fell upon a private individual, and as was covered by third-party insurance in such cases.
EAST MIDLAND A.R.O. MEETING THE annual meeting of the North' ampton Sub-area of the East Midland Area of A.R.O. will be held at the Grand Hotel, Northampton, on March 19, at 7 p.m.
PAPER WASTAGE NOW AN OFFENCE
UNDER a new regulation, any wastage of paper is to be considered an offence liable to severe penalties. Anyone in future, who throws cigarette packets, bus tickets, etc., on the ground or under the seats of vehicles or destroys paper in any non-essential way, may be fined., It is also required that waste paper shall be preserved from dirt and wet. Only the mirnimum may be employed for lighting fires, and that should be of the greasy type.
VAUXHALL'S GOOD TRADING IN 1941
THE report of Vauxhall Motors, Ltd., for 1941 shows a profit of £478,255, after considering all charges and making provision for depreciation, income tax, N.D.C., etc., compared with £477,578 in 1940. Appropriations already made, including £62,932 for employees' incentive scheme, total £80,804. A dividend at the rate of 15, per cent, less tax, is to be paid on the ordinary stock, and this will absorb £112,500 and leave .£1,859,737 , to be carried forward, contrasted with £1,582,627 brought in.
GREATER USE OF RECONDITIONED RUBBER
THE Minister of Supply was asked in Parliament, last week, by Major Sir Jocelyn Lucas, whether he was aware that the proportions of reconditioned rubber used in the manufacture of tyres in this country and the United States of America were in the region of 10 per cent. and 40 per cent. respectively; and what steps were being taken to improve the position in view of the urgent need for rubber economy,
Sir Andrew Duncan indicated that the proportion of reconditioned rubber used in tyres had been greater in the United States than in this country for reasons given in the Debate on February 3. The proportion in this country was now being substantially increased. MINISTRY'S OFFER TO HELP WITH MAINTENANCE
WE have been asked by Mr, F. G. Smith, Repairs Adviser to the Ministry of War Transport, Berkeley Square House, Berkeley Square, London, W.1, to invite our readers to send to the Regional Maintenance Officer and Certifying Officer of the Ministry of War Transport, particulars of any undue delay in having any of the following classes of work performed:— Regrinding of crankshafts, reboring and relining of cylinder blocks, cylinder block and crankcase welding, radiator repairs, electrical repairs (armature rewinding, etc.), road-spring repairs, and fuel-pump overhauls.
Delays may be due to lack of knowledge on the part of operators of alternative facilities available, in which case the Officer concerned can advise. The trouble may also be due to actual shortage of facilities, which the Ministry may take steps to improve.
NEW MEMBERS FOR HAULIERS' PROVIDENT INSTITUTION
THE half-yearly meeting of the I London Cartage and Haulage Contractors' Provident Institution was recently held, when the report of the management committee was submitted. The object Of the organization is to provide relief for necessitous .employers in the road haulage industry, and it has carried on this good work for nearly SO years.
Mr. J. H. Turner, 0.B.E., was reelected president, and Mr. L. A. Taylor was re-elected honorary treasurer. A number of new members was elected.
LOADING AND UNLOADING DELAYS NEED PROBING
COMPLAINTS of delays in the loading and unloading of hauliers' vehicles were voiced at a meeting of the Federation of Yorkshire Road
Transport Employers, last week. It was remarked that many vehicles had to wait for their loads until the following day because of an arbitrary 5 p.m. closing at works and warehouses.
The Federation decided to bring the complain'ts. to the notice of the Leeds Incorporated Chamber of Commerce.
Approval was given to the formation of an inter-county alliance between the Federation and the Lincolnshire Transport Association, referred to elsewhere in our news pages.
Concerning the problem of thefts of goods in transit, it was agreed that the Federation should assist by furnishing information and suggestions for dealing with it.
RED CROSS NEEDS EMPLOYERS' HELP WORKERS in, 40,000 industrial and W commercial establishments throughout England and Wales are now contributing an average of £37,000 a week to the people's Red Cross Penny-a-week Fund. Altogether, they have raised nearly E2,000,000
Recent events in the Far East have added considerably to Red -Cross and St. John commitments, and the need for a .substantial increase in income has, therefore, become a matter of great urgency. In order to carry out all its
obligations to the full, the organization now needs a revenue of approximately £100,000 every week.
The pennies of the people will have to play a still greater part in the task of sustaining the Red Cross. Employers everywhere can help to accomplish this by bringing the Fund to the notice of their workers, and by affording facilities for collection. Particulars may be had on application to the Red Cross Penny-a-Week Fund, 2-3, Norfolk Street, London, W.C.2.
LEYLAND DIVIDEND DECLARATION
THE directors of Leyland Motors, Ltd., have decided to pay, on March 26, an interim dividend of 10 per cent. on the ordinary shares of the company in respect of the year ended September, 30, 1941. In February of last year, an interim dividend of 10 per cent, was declared on the ordinary shares for the year to September 30/1940.
AUSTIN PROFIT ADVANCES
AT a meeting of the Austin Motor Co., Ltd., the directors decided to pay a 20 per cent, dividend on the preferred ordinary stock, and a 10 per cent, dividend on the ordinary and A ordinary stock, both subject to income tax, for the year ended July 31, 1941.
The accounts to be issued on March 19 will show that, in respect of the past year, the gross profit was 81,760,993 compared with 41,530,787 in the previous year, the credit balance being £1,192,382 after deducting charges tabulated in the profit and loss account. From this amount £673,419 s is deducted for debenture service (71,500), preference dividends (£57,719), special depreciation of plant and equipment (£50,000), provision for taxation ' (A425,000), war damage contributions (£69,200).
From the sum of £518,963 remaining, £100,000 is transferred to the contingencies reserve, whilst the preferred ordinary stock dividend takes £75,000, and that on the ordinary and A ordinary stock £32,368, leaving £311,595 to be carried forward, compared with £356,047 brought in.
DENNIS AID WARSHIP WEEK IN the Dennis works, a special effort 1 was made to give appreciable support to the Guildford warship week campaign, and the secretary of the works savings group, Mr. G. F. Vokts, and his committee are to be congratulated on their success in securing a total subscription of £11,403. PERSONAL PARS'
MR. W. C. TURNER has been re-elected chairman of the Leicester Sub-area df the C.M.U.A., whilst MR. J. Wilcox (Kinders, Ltd.) has been appointed vice-chairman. They are, with MR. E. W. HALL (McNamara and Co., Ltd.), representatives to the Divisional Committee of the Association.
LT.-COL. THE RT. HON. J. T. C. MOORE-BRABAZON, P.C., M.C., M.P., has been reappointed a director of the
Associated Equipment Co., Ltd. It will be remembered that he retired from the board of the company, with which he had been associated for many years, upon his appointment as Minister of Transport in September, 1940.
C.M.U.A.'s MANSFIELD SUB-AREA DOES WELL
THE annual meeting of the Mansfield Sub-area of the C.M.U.A. was held last week, when. Mr. J. E. Berney was re-elected chairman for the forthcoming year. The chairman explained the Government haulage scheme, stressing the fact that it was necessary for all operators to enter their vehicles in the " defence lines."
Mr. J. 0. Hickling reported that 97 new members had joined during the year. He congratulated the Area upon holding a record for the country by having not less than 95 per cent, of A and B licence-holders on the roll as members.