Railways Reveal Extent of Non-objection
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THE first meeting of one of the 12 1 regional committees, set up with a view to road-rail co-ordination, was held last week in Edinburgh. Those present were Messrs. Smart (Leith), Inglis (Falkirk), Hunter (Dumfries). Wright (Glasgow), Ramage (Douglas Water) and T. Worsley (Glasgow), representing the road-transport interests, and Messrs. McLeod, Strachan, Kerr, A. Wright, Lochrie, Brewster. Gold and Urquhart, representing the railways. Also present were Mr. A. E. Sewell, London and North-Eastern Railway Co.; Mr. Roger Sewill, of A.R.O.: Mr. A. Henderson, Southern Scotland Licensing Authority, and Mr. C. Holdsworth, Halifax.
A preliminary meeting of the roadtransport representatives decided to appoint Mr. T. Worsley their chairman, with Mr. Hamish MacDougall as secretary.
Mr. Worsley suggested that Mr. A. E. Sewell should take the chair, and the latter, who is chairman of the rail panel of the Central 'Conferehce, .made reference to the recent decision of the Transport Advisory Council regarding the removal of restrictions on the railways, and to the Act of Parliament designed to carry this into effect They realized the benefits of working together and were endeavouring to anticipate the Act of Parliament and co-ordinate all their arrangements. As an earnest of their sincerity, they proposed straightaway to cease objecting to many of the applications to which they had been objecting in the past and the number of their objections would be cut down throughout Great Britain by 50 per cent. Future competition would be on service and would be stripped of the undesirable element of rate-cutting.
Mr. Archibald Henderson said be had heard it suggested that the Licensing Authorities might have something to do with rate fixation and he had not regarded this prospect favourably. Competition was tending to be not so much on service as on rates. Such competition was not sound. He would like to see wages, working hours and statutory limitations equal on both sides, so that the final question for the trader would be as to which best suited his particular job.
Mr. Roger SewilI, chairman of the road panel of the Central Conference, said the country had awakened suddenly to the fact that both road and rail transport were vital to its existence. As common-sense people, they felt it was time they stopped fighting. No country had yet solved the problem of road and rail, although many had tried it. The way most countries had tried it was by rigidly restricting road transport, because the railways were State-owned. They would do a big thing for themselves and for the country if they settled their problem without asking for too much Government interference.
WINDSOR " ROYAL " PROVES A GOOD SHOW.
DESPITE the advice, frequently given, to plan ahead and order farm equipment in good time, many people apparently left the decision until the Royal Show and, in consequence, are sadder and, we hope, wiser men. The demand for tractors and harvesting machinery was quite exceptional at Windsor, and many potential orders, especially for combine harvesters, had to be turned away. Whilst most concerns are able to deliver tractors, there is no doubt that the demand for pneumatic tyres and wheel equipment is taxing manufacturers to the utmost and some buyers are bound to he disappointed as regards delivery before harvest.
The vogue for the rubber tyre is such that something approaching 80 per cent, of the wheeled tractors sold during the current year will be so fitted. Taken all in all, exhibitors at Windsor were 1,101 satisfied with the week's work ;And many people share the view that a revival in British agriculture has started in real earnest.
Electric-vehicle Manufacture Centralized.
Kfrom Monday last, all departnents of Associated Electric Vehicle Manufacturers, Ltd., have been centralized at the Birmingham factory of the company at Webb Lane, Hall Green, Birmingham.
Amongst other things, this reorganization means that the Birmingham factory will he devoted entirely to the production of Morrison and Electricaz chassis, and that the Leicester factory will solely produce bodywork. The. London service depot of the company will continue at 77, Marylebone High Street, \V. I. The idea of the reorganization is to centralize control of administralion.
L.C.C. Orders Lightweight Fire-engines of Big Capacity. COSTING about £20,000, the London %—/County Council is buying 11 fireengines from Leyland Motors, Ltd. The new machines will be equipped wit'a powerful six-cylindered engines and 800-1,000 g.p.m. pumps. A feature of them is that they will have lighter chassis than is usual for fire-engines with 'this pumping capacity, so. that they will be capable of rapid acceleration and high road speeds.
Enclosed bodies with transverse seats have been specified for these new fire-fighters, to which escapes and ladders will be fitted at the brigade's headq natters, Onwards to Road and Rail Co-operation.
REPRESENTATIVES of the railway companies and road hauliers held a pri vate conference in Aberdeen on 17/-(iny of last week, when Mr. A. E. 'Sewell, Glasgow, chairman of the railway representatives, spoke along lines simikkr to those of the speech he made at Edinburgh on the previous day. Mr. Henry Riches, Northern Scotland Licensing Authority, said that with a spirit of goodwill he felt certain that they would evolve a structure which would be a settlement of most, if not all, of the difficulties faced in the past
Mr. Riches championed the claims of the small haulier who, he said, served a most useful purpose.
Mr. Roger Sewill thanked Mr. Riches for his advice and encouragement, and said they were very anxious to enter into voluntary agreements so soon as possible. Road hauliers were determined to put their cards on the table and to forget antagonism of the past.
Descriptive of Perkins Service School.
DESCHIPTIVE of the service school L./which the company has established near its works at Peterborough, F. Perkins, Ltd., has published an interesting little folder, which gives full details of the free instruction available for engineers generally, and includes, in addition, an interesting syllabus. Copies can be obtained from the company's headquarters at Queen Street, Peterborough.
A Business Opportunity.
ALARGE and internationally known American manufacturer of trucks (rated from 10 cwt. to 3 tons) wishes to get into touch with an important British concern which could act as distributor in this country. Letters should be addressed " Truck Distributor," care of the Editor.
GARNER MOTORS DEVELOPMENT.
EXPANSION of the interests of 1---.Garner Motors, Ltd., North Acton Road, London, N.W.10, has necessitated the forming of a subsidiary company, under the same management and at the same address, which will be known as Garner Mobile Equipment, Ltd.
The parent company will be responsible for all coachbuilding, servicing and the supply of spare parts for Garner vehicles, also for the supply of new material required by the company's coachworks, service or spares sections. Garner Mobile Equipment, Ltd., will be responsible for the manufacture of Garner vehicles and GarnerStraussler four-wheel-drive machines, whilst its extensive equipment will permit dealing with other classes of work of a general engineering nature.
Bedford Show in London.
THE whole of the new range of Bedford vehicles, including the special 5-tonner, will be exhibited by Keith and Boyle (London), Ltd., 30, Harleyford Road, Vauxhall, S.E. 11„in Monday to Friday next from 9 a.m. to 8.30 p.m. Special facilities and competitions have been arranged for members of the Bedford Drivers' Club. This is an excellent opportunity for those who wish to examine these interesting new models.