WHEELS of INDUSTRY
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"The wheels of wealth will be slowed by all difficulties of transport at whatever points arising, as a carriage is by the roughness of the roads over which it runs."—John Beattie Crozier.
A Commercial Vehicle Show in Scotland.
It is practically certain that the 1930 Scottish Motor Exhibition will embody au important section devoted to commercial vehicles, as the council and exhibition committee of the Scottish Motor Trade Association have unanimously decided upon this course, and the matter will be submitted to the extraordinary general meeting of the Association to be held to-morrow (Wednesday) in Edinburgh.
In the agenda the view is expressed that the exhibition is still a very valuable asset to the Association and should be continued. It is also stated that the form of publicity which the Association and the whole of the industry derive through the holding of the annual show in Scotland (biennia' in the case of the commercial section) is far-reaching, and it gives an impetus to the -buying public which no other form of advertising can do.
Formation of an Omnibus Society.
For 30 years or more persons Interested in various industries have formed societies for social intercourse and the study of matters pertaining to the particular businesses in which they are engaged. Hitherto, there has been nothing corresponding with this in the road-transport business, and it is interesting to learn of the formation of the Omnibus Society, the inaugural meeting of which was held recently at the premises of Tilling's Social and Athletic Club.
A magazine for circulation amongst members is being prepared, and the Society will arrange to place members interested in particular subjects in touch with one another, -if they so desire. Lectures, meetings and visits will be included in the itinerary. The hon, secretary is Mr. C. F. Klapper, 4, Wellington Road, Bow, London, E.3.
Municipal Associations and the Road Traffic Bill.
Last Thursday, Sanuary 23rd, a joint meeting of the Association of Municipal Corporations and the Municipal Tramways and Transport Association (Inc.) was held at Caxton Hall, Westminster,
London. The president of the latter body stated in his speech that in the House of Lords Part V of the Road Traffic Bill had been rejected, and he strongly urged that it should be restored so that the traffic commissioners, suggested in the Bill, might not be hampered in considering licences for passenger vehicles, and should be in a position to judge applications for licences with due regard to the interests of the local authorities.
The president continued to say, "One of the results of Part V would be to put to an end the waste of public money in an extravagant system of private Bill legislation. You all know that we cannot extend our transport system without going to Parliament, even to the extent of a mile, and not even, for example, for our own housing schemes." He remarked that iudvate operators had always had a great advantage over the municipal transport undertakings. It was mentioned that licences for private motorbuses had been freely granted—frequently on, the principle that competition was good in itself. "They are now being purchased or absorbed on the entirely opposite principle that competition is destructive and uneconomical," he observed.
"The Commercial Motor" Overseas.
The overseas subscription rate for The Commercial Motor will be increased to 2Ss. per annum (shorter periods pro rata) as from March 1st next.
In a Line or Two.
Golborne Urban District Council has granted 161 licences to • the Lancashire United Transport and Power Co., Ltd.
A portion of the Great North Road which runs through Doncaster will shortly be closed for about 10 weeks, owing to the decision of Doncaster Corporation to substitute the trains by trolley-buses.
We are asked by ,the company marketing Pratt's High-TeSt petrol to correct an impression which appears to exist that this new petrol is higher in price than ordinary motor sprit. As a matter of fact, it is no dearer than ordinary fuel.
During 1929 over 10,.500,000 passengers were carried on the buses of the Devon General Omnibus Co., Ltd.
The net profit of the Belfast Omnibus Co., Ltd., for the year ended September 30th last was £12,067.
Deprecating Increases in the Australian Tariff.
The overseas committee of the Federation of British Industries has recently passed a resolution deploring the heavy increases in the Australian tariff, which will have a two-fold adverse effect upon the reciprocal trade between Great Britain and Australia, by impeding the sale of British goods to the detriment of the British manufacturer and rendering this country less capable of purchasing Australian goods; also by further increasing the economic difficulties of Australia, thus making it very difficult for it to obtain the necessary financial means for development.
The Progress of the B.P. Spirit.
Great success is attending the supply of the new B.P. spirit through dealers' pumps. The company claims that sales have increased by 80 per cent., and this has necessitated considerable expansion in equipment.
The Anglo-Persiau Oil Co., Ltd., which is the parent concern, has recently placed orders with British shipbuilding yards, steel works and industrial concerns in Great Britain to a .total value of approximately £3,500,000, this including six new oilcarrying vessels, all of ,which will be motor-driven. Large orders till also be placed for, refinery and oil-works equipment, drilling material, tanks, boilers, general engineering material and transport vehicles. The total orders for the last-named will be very important, and deliveries are already being made.
Agreement Reached Between Salford and Prestwich.
On behalf of the Ministry of Transport; Mr. T. J. D. Atkinson, K.C., recently held an inquiry into thia dispute between the Salford and Prestwich authorities to determine whether the Prestwich Urban District Council had unreasonably withheld its consent. to the operation of Salford Corporation buses along the Bury New Road, Prestwich.
While the Town Clerk of Salford was opening his case, counsel for the Prestwich authority intimated that, by conferring, the representatives of the two parties might be able to come to some agreement. The sitting was, therefore, suspended and a private conference took place, with the result that an agreement was announced, the terms being that the Prestwich Urban District Council shall: (1) Give its consent to the running of buses within its district by Salford Corporation; (2) agree to licence such buses.
Southport's Bus Plans.
Southport Town Council has under consideration the question of using buses in place of tramcars, and the tramways manager is to make proposals for the conversion. It is said that the tramways cOmmittee is to seek offers for the exchange of the council's single-deck buses for double-deckers,