ROAD AND RAIL EXECUTIVES DISCUSSING CO-ORDINATION D R OBLEM S associated
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with the evo lation of a common policy for the co-ordination of transport were being discussed by the Road and Railway Executives, said Major-General G. N. Russell, CR., C.B.E., chairman of the Road Transport Executive, at a luncheon given to him and other members of the Executive by the National Conference of Road Transport Clearing Houses.
A road rates policy had to be framed urgently, said Major-General Russell. A great deal of work was involved in taking over long-distance haulage concerns and the small man would be well treated. The Road Transport Executive wished to have the help of the industry, and, in return, would give a fair deal to all sections of it.
Those who fear that the co-ordination of road and rail rates will be accompanied by an increase in charges for road transport are unlikely to be reassured by the announcement that, in 1947, the pooled operations of the former main-line railways and London Transport brought a net loss of £16,239,000. During the last three months of the year, however, the railways earned an extra £15,000,000 as a result of increases in charges and London Transport benefited by £6,000,000 from the raising a fares. Last August, the Minister. of Transport stated that the increased charges by the railways were expected to produce an additional revenue of £65,000,000 in 1948.
NL NATIONALIZATION THE text of the Transport Bill of Northern Ireland, published last Saturday, shows that the new Northern Ireland Authority will consist of 5-10 members and will have power to issue stock up to a maximum of £10,000,000. The purpose of the Bill is to enable the Northern Ireland Government to reorganize public transport.
USERS SEE SOUTHAMPTON FROM LAND AND WATER
" 710-DAY we are a nationalized 1 undertaking, and it will be the aim of all of us associated with the
Southern Region of the British Rail ways to maintain the proud position we have always held in the transport world," said Mr. R. P Biddle, C.B.E., docks and marine manager, Southern Region, Southampton, last week.
The occasion was the dinner of the spring meeting of the Traders' Traffic Conference, concluding a day during ' which some 60 members of the Conference had combined business with pleasure in making a land tour of Southampton Docks and a water tour of Southampton Water and the Spithead, as far as the Isle of Wight.
Mr. Biddle was responding to a toast by Mr. H. Carrington, vice-chairman of the Conference.
Lt.-Col. H. R. Caulfield Giles, Minst.T., said that the Conference was founded 35 years ago by Mr. Carrington, who was its chairman for 19 years.
Lt.-Col. Giles has been in the chair for eight years. The purpose of the Conference is to give advice, circulate essential information ann chscuss, current problems of transport by land and water, sea and air. Monthly meetings are held, one month in London, the next in the provinces, Each spring a special meeting is arranged, of which this was the second since the war.
OBITUARY
WE regret to announce the death, at the age of 79 years, of MR. ERNLSI WARRINF,R, a prominent Sheffield haulier, who was, until his death. actively engaged in running the business which he founded in 1896. He was a founder-member of the Direct Motor Service (Sheffield). Ltd.. a group of over 120 South Yorkshire hauliers operating more than 1,000 vehicles, and director of that company for 15 years.
.1 W. DUNNING. M.INSI.T., general manager of Cardiff Transport Department, also died recently.
TRACTOR TYRE CONCESSION
THE Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) Regulations, 1948. have now been made and can be obtained from H.M. Stationery Office, York House, Kingsway, London, W.C.2 or through booksellers. Coming into force to-day (May 211. the regulations extend for another year (until June 1, 1949) the cancellation of the requirements as to soft tyres and smooth-solid steering wheels on tractors first registered on or before June 1, 1947.
HIGHER FARES IN GLASGOW? IT was only by the margin of a single I vote that the Labour Party in Glasgow Corporation was able at a meeting on May 13 to carry the proposals to revise bus and tram fares in the city. Final approval was obtained by 51 to 49.
LEYLANDS FOR JAMAICA
EYLAND buses are being shipped to Jamaica, where, as reported in "The Commercial Motor" dated March 12, the principal transport company in Kingston has purchased 40 American White buses. The Leylands will operate from Kingston to Montego Bay over a 132-mile route haying steep and badly surfaced roads.
NUFFIELD TRACTOR AT LAST
A(CORDING to the annual report of Morris Motors, Ltd., the Nuffield Universal tractor will be marketed in the near future, A foundry at Wellingborough has been acquired to increase the production of castings for this purpose.
1. OF T. PLANS CONFERENCE
ACONFERENC7r of not more than 50 members of the InstittLe of Transport is to be held at the School of Transport, Derby, during the weekend September 10-13. Mr. W. Donaldson Wright is chairman of the committee which has been set up to make the arrangements.
NEW I.M.I. MEMBER CLASS? THE introduction of a new noncorporate membership class in the Institute of the Motor Industry, has been proposed, stated Mr. F. S. Sutcliffe. chairman of the Bradford Centre, at the centre's annual meeting.
PRIZE WINNERS IN BODY DESIGN COMPETITIONS
FIRST prize in the Drawing and Handicraft Competitions, 1948, for a general arrangement of a single-deck bus for export, has been awarded to Mr. Ernest T. Smith, 114, Roundwood Road, London, N.W.I0. He will also he entitled to an additional award in the form of payment of hotel and travelling expenses from London to the next Continental Motor Show. Mr. Smith selected a Foden chassis for his design.
Second prize goes to Mr. B. H. Bennett, 1, Ashdale Grove, S:anmore. Middlesex, third prize to Mr. Thomas R. Martin, 61, Formby Avenue, Stanmore, Middlesex, and an additional prize to Mr. A. P. Robinson, 5:1, Cambridge Road, Andsell, Lytham St. Annes, In the competition for a working drawing of a Luton-type van, first prize has been awarded to Mr. William Back, 70. Ferndale Road, London. S.W.4. second prize to Mr. George D. Blunt, 10, Waddington Avenue, Great Barr. Birmingham, and third prize to Mr. Reginald R. Osborne. 79. Domonic Drive, London, S.E.9. Mr. Back's design was for a Dennis Pax chassis and had an electrically operated shutter which disappeared into the Luton head.
A number of awards has also been made to successful contestants in competitions for detail designs and practical ork The competitions were arranged jointly by the Worshipful Comnanv of Coachmakers and Coach Harness Makers of London, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders and the Institute of British Carriage and Automobile Manufacturers.
SAFETY MADE. "POPULAR" TO-MORROW (May 22) Mr. L. .I.
Callaghan. Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport, will open an ambitious road-safety exhibition which is being staged by Hackney Borough Council. The exh'bition will remain open until June 5 and all aspects of road safety will be covered. Various popular attractions. included appearances by well-known radio performers, are to be provided.
HIRE WORK A "WELCOME CHANGE"
ANSWERING a criticism that private h're should receive less attention so that later regular services could he run from Dewsbury, an official of the Yorkshire Woollen District Transport Co., Ltd., said, " When we get the bus crews, the public can have their later services. At the present time all bus crews are working overtime to maintain the exisii:;? services. Drivers are willing to operate private-hire journeys on their rest days, as these provide a welcome chance from the local services."
"AXE" ON 39 BUSES
AS a result of action by the Ministry of Transport. Dundee Corporation will be able to obtain only 33 of the 63 buses required for replacements. 'they are to be delivered between 1949 and
1951. the council is to continue to press for the authorization of the full number of vehicles.