Wage Increases the " Greatest Disservice"
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rAPTTULATTON by the engineering employers on wages is described by, Mr. W. G. Allen, chairman of Atkinson Lorries (Holdings), Ltd.; in his annual statement, as "of the greatest disservice to the nation." Wage increases should be accorimanied irrevocably by guarantees of increased production, and maintained only as long as greater output was achieved.
Higher wages, coupled with deterMination not to raise the price's' of vehicles until compelled to do SO, resulted in the, company's net profit falling by £17,354. Vehicle prices were maintained for 10 months elf the year, Osded March 31 last.
Mr, Allen expresses concern on the question ot European free trade. He hopes that the Government will give attention to adequate safeguards before involving the country in the venture.
Despite greater competition at home and abroad, Atkinson maintained their exports. The insistence of overseas countries on a higher national content in vehicles, or on local assembly, is, however, making export trade more difficult.
NEW ACT SIMPLIFIES TRAFFIC CASES
DRIVERS accused of minor traffic offences are now receiving details Of the evidence to be put forward by the police in court. This is part of the new Magistrates' Courts Act, 1957, which simplifies the procedure in
dealing with traffic cases.
Under the new system, if a driver admits the facts sent to him and enters a plea of guilty by letter, the case can be .dealt with in the absence of both him and the police. Thus, the task of the police in proving the identity of drivers and proving previous convictions is also simplified.
The prosecutor is not allowed to amplify the statement of facts sent to the driver—unless the driver appears-and any submission in mitigation by the defendant must be read out in court.
The court mlay decide to adjourn and hear the case later under normal procedure, or it may record a conviction and adjourn the case so that the defendant can attend and he heard before the sentence is imposed.
The Act. which applies only to England and Wales, came into operation last Friday.
CARRIERS RAISE EFFICIENCY I N collaboration with the Ministry of Labour, Essex Carriers, Ltd., South Benfleet, arranged for members of their managerial and supervisory staffs to undertake four courses under the Ministry's Training Within Industry Scheme. The courses were on job instruction, relations, methods and safety.
It was felt that the courses, which are freely provided by the Ministry, resulted in added efficiency.