Ourselves and America
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THERE can be little doubt that U.S. manufacturers of commercial vehicles will, be our keenest competitors, not only in the markets of the world in general, but particularly in those of the British Empire. We must neither expect nor hope for any especially considerate treatment. America is a land of busines men, and their instinct in this respect will probably overrule any feelings of sentiment which some may have.
We know, as do many in the States, that if it had not been for the heroic spirit Which prevailed in Britain when we stood alone, and the help afforded to us by our Overseas Empire, a large part of the world .would have been under the domination of the Nazis, in which case America would have experienced a true isolation, possibly uncongenial even to those in that country who so volubly sponsor it and, quite conceivably, would have fallen, or at least have been subjected to a war of attrition lasting many years.
It was the expenditure of practically all our foreign financial resources that initiated and, in a large measure, built up the war industry in the U.S.A., thus enabling a much more rapid arming of America than, would otherwise have been possible. Lend-Lease was, in a way, a method of supporting an outer defence against the aggressors and, therefore, a matter of self-protection. We were, fortunately, able to provide quite a considerable amount of reverse Lend-Lease, but, even excluding the latter, it was to America's vital interest to maintain Britain as the one part of the world from which an effective invasion of the Continent could be launched.
Britain Has Been Too Modest These are facts which many people in both countries appear to have forgotten, or, with that self-depreciation which is a characteristic of our Nation, we are too modest to emphasize.
There have been suggestions that, in order to bolster up our temporary somewhat difficult financial position and to enable us to import necessities, we should use as a, medium of barter any favourable trading arrangements which we have formulated in conjunction with various parts of our Empire. We hope that such ideas will not be carried into effect, and that they are merely froth on the surface of some better-devised plans. It would indeed be no appreciation of our selfsacrificing services towards freeing the world from Nazi tyranny if advantage of our temporary weakness, caused by throwing every asset into the battle, were to be taken by any nation which, for various reasons, is in a predominant financial state.
To achieve sound rehabilitation and a reasonably prosperous future, we must both expand our export trade and reduce our imports, at least as compared with pre-war figures. We must not bind ourselves to some despairing policy which might eventually reduce us to a second-rate nation, with our people struggling hard for a bare existence, and all those great plans for better conditions of living brought to naught. It would be better, in fact, to continue to live leanly for a time than to sacrifice our prospects for many years to come in order to attain some temporary and short-lived advantage.
Comparative Importance of Exports • The U.S.A. has such a huge internal sale of motor vehicles that, in proportion, its export trade in these is comparatively. sffiall. It is, therefore, not nearly so vital to that country's economy as is our export trade to us. The home market in Britain is small in normal times, and to afford our manufacturers scope for expansion and consequent increasing employment, we must develop the " home" markets of our Empire, as well as, so far as possible, our export trade with foreign countries.
Apart from such main considerations of national policy, it is essential that a much higher degree of encouragement should be given to producers. Many feel, and we believe rightly, that they are still far too tied down by various restrictions and controls, also by lack of skilled production operatives.
It may be difficult to change an elaborate scheme for demobilization at almost the last moment, but it does seem to us that the present arrangements are not proving at all satisfactory. They may have been devised to be " fair " to those in the Services, but they are not so to the manufacturers, on whom, after all, depends to a large extent future employment. Many workers who were retained for long periods in factories because they were considered to be essential were called up towards the end of hostilities, and under the existing system they will be the last to return, except for the very limited numbers in the B category. Yet they were the very men who were• for years regarded as an integral part of production. It was only on account of the great expansion of our Forces, which, at that time, overruled all other considerations but which the unexpectedly rapid termination of the war has rendered unnecessary, that compelled their removal from industry.
We quite appreciate the point of view of a Service man who has been in the Forces for a long period and who, consequently, considers that he should be amongst the first to be released. The interests of the Nation as a whole should, however, come first, whilst quite apart from these hj may, for the sake of a temporary advantage, be sacrificing improved conditions for himself in the future.
Meeting the Needs of Local Authorities
THIS week we are able to give some details of I a new and greatly improved range of specialized vehicles for municipal work. The concern producing these, although it has an important share in this market, is by no means the only one engaged in it. British makers appear to possess an exceptional aptitude for meeting such requirements, and their products in this sphere are at least equal to, and, in many cases, better than others which have been developed abroad. Most of our municipalities are cognizant of this claim, and quite apart from any feeling that a local authority in this country should certainly. , buy British, they know full well that by doing so they will be obtaining the best value for their money. We must, however, also inform the rest • of the world as to what we can provide for it.
Our pre-war trade in vehicles and machines in this class was a fair one, but, in our opinion, could reasonably soon be greatly expanded. A municipality, whether it be in this country or abroad, should prefer types of vehicle whicli, together with their equipment, are built to last and to give efficient, economic and satisfactory service to the end of their days.
Every aspect of municipal work is being studied and the various demands met satisfactorily in quality, if not yet in quantity. The varied nature of the tasks which have to be undertaken does not lend itself to the mass production of many vehicles all of a type. It is in this particular meeting of individual requirements that the British maker excels, and what is suitable for our own cities and towns is, in a great measure, applicable to those in other parts of the world. Hygienic methods of dust collection, rapid and clean gully and cesspit emptying, efficient machines for tarring and gritting roads, highly developed means for fire fighting and rescue work, well-equipped ambulances and other products designed to operate with the minimum of trouble and labour, should make a strong appeal to municipal authorities in every country.
Other points in which our latest vehicles and appliances excel are accessibility and the easy and rapid repair or replacement of worn parts, which make for economy, better maintenance and reduce the periods during which they must receive attention and perhaps be out of commission.