Increased Taxation in Australia.
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Dr, Page, the Commonwealth Treasurer, introducing the Budget into the Australian House of Representatives a few days ago, announced a surplus for the financial year 1925-1926 of 1287,000, in addition to 12,500,000 paid into the trust fund for special services. It is proposed to raise 11,500,000 per annum by taxing petrol, tyres and motor chassis, in order to meet the cost of road-construction work involving an expenditure of 135,000,000 in the next 10 years.
. Subsequent to Dr. Page's statement, Mr. Pratten, the Minister for Customs, explained that the sum which it is proposed to raise to cover road construction was to be secured by increasing the duties on petroleum and shale by 2d. per gallon, on .rubber tyres by 15 per cent., and on chassis by 2-1.•per cent.
American Railways and Road Transport.
At the recent Annual Divisional Convention of theAmerican Railway Association it was decided to form a permanent road motor transport section. This action was taken as a result of a general discussion at a special meeting, during which it transpired that American railways were sustaining heavy passen-gef and freight losses owing to motorbus and lorry competition. A temporary committee was formed, and this body will report to a forthcoming convention of railway men as to the advisability of establishing auxiliary motor lines.
Distinctive Publicity Vans.
The motor vehicle has long been recognized as of great value in connection with publicity schemes, and the two vans shown in an accompanying picture have been equipped specially for advertising purposes by the Co-operative Wholesale Society, of Manchester. in each case the Bell chassis is used, and the bodies have been specially designed to attract attention at outdoor events, such as carnivals and galas, where processions are a principal feature.
In addition to the unusually shaped cabs, the bodies are very similar to shop windows, the one in front showing scenes built up in silhouette and attractively coloured to represent sections of a cocoa plantation. The body of the other vehicle shows scenes on tea plantations. The body panels on the second vehicle are protected by a curtain of gauze, through which the scenes can be quite clearly distinguished. For travelling purposes, and as a protection in case of bad weather, roller curtains of waterproof material are dropped over the scenes when travelling to or from Manchester, which are the headquarters.
Throughout the summer months the vehicles are in constant use for advertising purposes, being available at the request of local retail societies.
Coach Station for Eastbourne?
Eastbourne .Watch Committee is to endeavour to obtain the Ordnance Field from the War Office for the purpose of a station for motor coaches. As mentioned in our issue for last week the authorities consider such a scheme essential to avoid many of the difficulties at present created by the constantly increasing volume of traffic in the town.
Weighbridge Charges.
The sanitary committee of the Ossett Corporation recommends the fixing of the following charges for the use of weighbridges by motor vehicles :—Up to 30 cwt., 3d.; between 31 cwt. and 50 cwt., 6d.; between 51 cwt. and 80 cwt., 9d.; exceeding 80 cwt., is.
An Allen-Liversidge Bereavement.
We learn with regret of the death of Mr. C. S. Gilman, J.P., chairman of Allen-Liversidge, Ltd., who passed away in his sleep a few days ago. A New Use for the Fordson.
We reproduce on this page a photograph showing a new use for the Fordson tractor, and one which is likely to increase the value of this popular machine in certain spheres of service_ The tractor is fitted with Muir-Hill cleated wheels and is shown hauling 31
ten and 5-ton H.I.C. trailers in tandem. By the usp of these trailers, either singly or together, the outfit can be employed for hauling 3k-ton, 5-ton or ton loads. loads. Furthermore, the tractor can also be employed for hauling pantechnicons, etc. Messrs. W. Harold Perry, Invicta Works, London, N.12, who sent us the picture, inform us that they are the sole London distributors for H.I.C. trailers, and that they will be prepared to demonstrate the capabilities of these haulage units to anyone within 20 miles of Loudon.
More Alhions for Aberdeen.
• As a result of the excellent and elloient service given by a 24 h.p. Albion bus which the Aberdeen Corporation put into service some months ago, largely as an experiment, the Albion Motor Car Co.,Ltd., Scotstoun, Glasgow, have received from the corporation a repeat order for nine similar chassis, in the design of which special arrangements will be made for carrying bodies of the low rear-entrance pattern, a type which is becoming very popular.
Body Construction in the Irish Free State.
The National Union of Vehicle Builders recently organized a parade in Dublin of motor vehicles with Irishbuilt bodies, the object being to demonstrate the standard of work turned out by the firms engaged in the vehicle building and allied trades. Included in the parade . were motorbuses, char-abanes and vans constructed for transporting bread, milk, etc.
Safeguarding South Shields Trams.
At the last meeting of the South Shields Corporation a request from the Northern General Transport Co., Ltd., for licences for 25 motorbuses, was put back for further consideration, although it had the approval of the watch committee. The proposal of the company is to institut0 a service between Gateshead and Sonth Shields, but strong exception was taken to the suggestion by the tramways committee on the ground that the buses would enter into active competition with the municipal tramways and thereby penalize them.