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ALTERNATIVE FUELS AND TAXATION BY WEIGHT. D ESPITE the fact that

operators are L./doing their best to continue running and to conserve petrol by utilizing equipment such as suction-gas producers, gas cylinders and balloons, it seems that they are to be penalized because, in many instances, the weight of the apparatus brings the vehicle into a higher tax category. An allowance for such emergency equipment should certainly be made, and we suggest that the Ministry of Transport takes this 'matter up with the Treasury.

Taximen Wave the Flag.

THE Secretary for Mines has announced that the ration of petrol for London's taxicabs is to be raised from 60 gallons to 90 gallons per month, or approximately three gallons a day. This is' a result of drawing attention to the loss of employment and inconvenience to the public which would result from the small ration previously arranged. In return, the cabbies have promised to reduce crawling and to give adequate service at night.

Hardships Resulting from Vehicle Requisitioning.

IN the House of Commons the Minister of Transport was asked by Sir Irving Albery whether any steps were being taken to put the requisitioning of -motor vehicles on a more efficient and fairer basis, " and to remedy the many unnecessary cases of hardship which have been created."

Captain Euan Wallace explained, in reply, that vehicles for the purposes of civil defence had been, for the most part, secured by voluntary arrangements made in peace-time and recorded with the Traffic Commissioners. Requisitioning had been resorted to only where such arrangements could not be made. In either case, care had been taken to avoid hardship, so far as possible.

The Minister added that if Sir Irving A 14 Albery had any particular case in mind, where requisitioning had, been made on what appeared to be an unfair basis, he would be glad to look, into, if, if he could be given the necessary particulars, Any. question regarding the impressment of vehicles for the armed forces should be addressed to the appropriate -Service Minister.

Mr. F. A. Macquisten mentioned the heavy burden which had been thrown on to the Ministry of Transport through its policy of choking road transport. • Gas-balloon Makers Wanted.

WE shall be glad to learn, from operators and manufacturers themselves, the names and addresses of makers of flexible gas holders, which can be applied to motor vehicles of all classes.

How Grouping is Working in Leeds. A N interesting example of the opera.

tion of the Ministry of Transport's scheme for the grouping of vehicles to meet war-time conditions, is the cooperation of 32 retail furnishing and general-store concerns in Leeds, so as to provide an efficient delivery service, whilst reducing the number of vehicles employed, and conserving petrol. In all, 93 vans have been pooled, and there are three depots.

One depot handles goods for delivery locally, and the others deal with goods for delivery within 30 miles of Leeds. Consignments are collected daily from concerns in the group, and taken to the appropriate depots for delivery to customers. Thus, instead of several concerns each sending a van to the same district, one van goes there with goods dispatched by anyone in the group.

"Special deliveries," entailing the use of a van to carry only one cus tomer's goods, have ceased. It is aimed to give daily deliveries within seven miles of Leeds, and twice-weekly aeliveries beyond, up to the 30-mile radius. YORKSHIRE EMPLOYERS AND LONG-DISTANCE SERVICES.

THE Federation of Yorkshire Road Transport Employers accepts the scheme for collection and delivery of traffic at railhead (as described on page 164 of our issue dated September 22), subject, to the following conditions:— That the 'all-in cost to the operators shall be comparable with the charges made by the raLlways for similar services; that the railways provide the same facilities and protection for roadtransport operators as they do for manufacturers and traders; that the forfeiture by road transport of two of its inherent advantages--speed anc .service—be taken into consideration. it assessing their remuneration; the cost of extta packing, additional insurance delays and waiting, not the fault of the operator, and other additional items o expense, to be taken into Consideration

Assisting Scottish Farmers.

THE Departme.nt of Agriculture fo. Scotland announces that it is set ting up a motor tractor section, t( assist farmers in the additional cultiva tions consequent on the food-produc tion campaign now being arrange( throughout Scotland. Mr. R. D Ewart, M.I.P.E., has been appointe( to control this section. Mr. Ewar was in charge of a similar departmen set up by the then Board of Agricultur in the 1914-1918 war.

Fuel Supplies For Agricultural Purposes.

TN view of the need 'for ensuring tha "agricultural users of motor spirit an heavy oil are able to obtain supplic during the present period of harvef work and ploughing, a special licence issued by the Secretary for Mines uncle the Motor Fuel Rationing Order, ix been introduced. Under this arrangi ment, farmers will not be. required I fill up special forms for their immedia; requirements. When they need to pu chase petrol or oil fuel for the open tion of agricultural tractors, stational engines or other machines used farming, they must satisfy the suppli that they need the supply for agricti tural work and no other. They w be required to sign a receipt for ti quantity of fuel purchased. Deta: will be required of the engines vehicles for which the fuel is needy The system also covers vans al lorries operating on agricultm licences. It does not apply farmers' private cars, which are des with under the main rationi. scheme, or to farmers' lorries operati on carriers' licences or permits issu by the Regional Transport Comm sioners.

The requirements of suppliers agricultural engines for the purpose starting and delivering such engines E also included in this scheme.

LORRY LAUNCHES PONTOON.

AN unusual, method of launching a pontoon by means of a lorry was undertaken recently by Messrs. Iludsons Transport, South Africa, after they. had transported a 40-ft. pontoon, weighing 18 tons, to the Vaal River, Orangeville; on their Leyland BeaverSix oiler and trailer; the outfit is shown undertaking its task in a picture on this page.

Soundings were taken of the river bed at the place where the pontoon was to be used, as a temporary bridge, to replace the original bridge which had been washed away by flood waters. It was then decided to reverse the laden lorry and trailer down the bank into the river, the lorry being driven towards the middle of the river until the water was sufficiently deep to float the pontoon. This method of launching proved highly successful. The only

4ttention given to the lorry and its tower unit after this imthersion being he drying out of the generator and tarter, and the draining of the sump a a precautionary measure, in case rater had filtered into the oiling ystem.

" Pool" Oil Now?

T is understood that plans are being prepared for the marketing of a .tidard Pool engine oil. This will be istributed in three grades---light, tedium and heavy. This information as given, a few days ago, at a meetig of Liverpool transport managers.

" Collating " Trade Vehicles Unnecessarily.

**OMPLAINTS about the grouping of ...trade vehicles in the national emertncy were made at the recent Septem:r meeting of the Croydon and istrict Grocers' Association, Mr. ould complaining that vehicles had :en " collared " without regard to tual local needs and that now there ts none for the intended services. r. Mould complained that in one -stance, where a delivery van was ken, 15s. per week was being allowed the owner, whereas he had now to y 45 per week to get another and s efficient vehicle. Mr. L. Emm expressed the view that the War Department was the only body that could have the power to commandeer vehicles irrespective of the owner's wishes, and -said there was a lot of bluffing by certain other authorities in -that matter. It was agreed to -forward a protest to the national body.

I.A.E. Continues Active.

AFTER careful _consideration the Council of the Institution of Automobile Engineers has decided that the headquarters shall remain at 12, Hobart Place, London, S.W.1.

No general meetings will take place in London, but those of an informal character may, in due course,. be organized in provincial centres. It is hoped to continue the regular publication of the Institution Journal, including some papers which, under normal conditions, would have been read.

The liaison with the Ministry of National Service and Labour in connection with the filling of vacancies for automobile engineers from the Central Register will be pursued. The research department will also continue to function and will be ready to embark upon any special work of direct national importance.

Pedestrians Should Face the Traffic.

I N the interests of safety pedestrians should walk on the right-hand side of the road facing the oncoming traffic when there is no footpath, and on the left-hand side when there is one. The Minister of Transport hopes that the public will realize the great importance of observing these rules.

Pooled Transport at Peterborough.

RECENTLY, the Peterborough , and

District Grocers' Association reassembled after its summer recess, and every one of the members present spoke in support of the plan of mutual assistance and security, with which was linked the problem of pooling transport resources to prevent unnecessary duplication, and to use vehicles as economically as possible. STEAM WAGONS AVAILABLE.

ANUMBER of our readers has sent us details of steam wagons which they have for disposal. These include the following: Two Foden 6-ton threeway tippers, one Foden Speed Six fourwheeler on pneumatics, one Garrett sixwheeler side tipper, two Ransomes, and a Sentinel six-wheeled three-way tipper. Inquiries concerning these should be addressed " Steam Wagon," care of the Editor.

Ploughing-up Period Extended.

cURTHER opportunities for the

employment of tractors should be afforded by the fact that the Minister of Agriculture proposes to extend, until December 31, the date by which permanent grassland must be ploughed up to become eligible for the Government grant of 42 per acre. The land must have been under grass for it least seven years, and must be suitable for the production of satisfactory. arable crops for harvest in 1940; the minimum per farm must be two acres.

Association's Protest on Rationing.

Representations have been made to the Ministry of Transport by the Scottish Horse and Motormen's Association, which protests against the system of petrol rationing. It claims that there is no shortage of fuel, and suggests that private cars should be withdrawn from the roads so as to permit legitimate transport and hiring concerns to carry on their work with the minimum loss of employment.

Maintaining Ford Parts-service Organization.

AVE are advised by the Ford Motor VV Co., Ltd., that it is doing all possible to maintain an efficient parts service throughout the country, and Ford dealers have responded to the company's appeal for co-operation. It is stated that transport difficulties occasioned some delays immediately after the outbreak of war, but the position is now improving.

The company's well-known engine and parts exchange plans will be continued until further notice, so the company informs us.

A.R.O.'S WATCHING BRIEF.

AKEEN eye is being kept by Associated Road Operators on the petrol-rationing scheme, and various phases of the matter have been discussed with the Ministry of Transport. No action will, however, be taken until the full results of the scheme make themselves felt, when any cases which affect the industry deleteriously will be investigated.

Fuel-economy Steps in Yorkshire.

AVIGILANCE committee, to deal with war-time fuel economy questions, was appointed at an emergency meeting of the Council of the Federation of Yorkshire Road Transport Employers, in Leeds, last week. One of the committee's functions is to promote co-operation among roadtransport operators, with a view to making maximum use of the available petrol and fuel oil and cutting out the running of vehicles only half loaded, or empty vehicles on return journies.

Several members of the Council are especially in touch with this aspect of war-time road transfort, as sub-district managers under the Ministry of Transport's emergency scheme.

" Co-operative Delivery " for Glasgow.

A CO-OPERATIVE delivery scheme 1-1has been inaugurated in Glasgow, by groups of retail concerns, as a result of the difficulties encountered in maintaining individual deliveries to customers, fallowing on the large-scale requisitioning of vehicles.

Shopkeepers with adjacent premises are arranging for joint deliveries, and the scheme has already been put into operation in the Dennistoun and Maryhill districts. Similar schemes are being planned for other areas in the city. The scheme is also being organized so that retailers can collect their supplies from wholesale warehouses, railway depots, etc., in the same manner.

New Fire-engine Body to Meet War Conditions.

ANEW lire-engine body, especially suited to war purposes and different from all previous designs, has been finalized by the designing staff of Leyland Motors, Ltd., Leyland, Lancs. Although preparations for the design were begun some months ago, its conception was based on the probable needs of brigades during times of hostilities, and the extra equipment they would be called upon to carry.

The success in meeting provisions for the latter contingency may be judged from the fact that the new design will incorporate as much as 80 per cent. more locker accommodation than some of the models now being produced, and considerably more locker space than that of any previous Leyland fireengine body.

Special attention has been given to details in the new design. A first specimen body has been completed and carefully examined by a number of fire-engine experts as well as company officials. Many suggestions for farther improvements resulted from this and A 16 have now been incorporated in the final design.

The first of these new bodies will be completed in about a month's time, when full particulars will be published.

Equipping Vehicles For Gas Fuel.

AUSEFUL booklet, "Gas Fuel for Motor Vehicles," has just been produced by Major W. Goddard, A.M.I.Mech.E., Jessamine Avenue, Beeston, Leeds, 11. This deals briefly and pointedly with the use of town gas and producer gas, and contains comparative costs.

I. of T. Premium Award.

THE council of the Institute of Transport has awarded the Road Transport (Passenger) Premium, of which the donor is London Transport, to Col. A. S. Redman, formerly chairman of the West Midland Traffic Commissioners, for his paper on " Passenger Transport by Road in Relation to Railway Services."

Demand for Bluecol Anti-freeze.

BY reason of the exceptional demand for Bluecol anti-freeze during the past few weeks, stocks have been exhausted, we are told by S. Smith and Sons (Motor Accessories), Ltd., Cricldewood Works, London, N.W.2. Supplies will, however, shortly be available, but circumstances compel the company to advance list prices by 10 per cent.

PERSONAL PARS.

MR. PETER F. BENNETT,

J.P., president of the Federation of British Industries and chairman and managing director of Joseph Lucas, Ltd., has been appointed a DirectorGeneral of Tanks and Transport.

M. S. J. BATCHELOR, advertising manager of the Daimler Co., Ltd., has been elected a Fellow of the Incorporated Advertising Managers' Association.

Ma. A. S. WARD, director of the Laycock Engineering Co., Ltd., Sheffield, and joint managing director of Thos. W. Ward, Ltd., Albion Works, Sheffield, has been elected Master Cutler of Sheffield for the ensuing year.

MR. JAMES WHITAKER, traffic manager of Leicester Transport Department, is on the short list for the post of general manager of the Burnley transport undertaking. Mr. Whitaker was traffic officer to the East Midland Traffic Commissioners before joining Leicester Transport Department in 1932.

I.A.E. Banquet Cancelled. rr-HE annual banquet of the Institu

tion of Automobile Engineers, which was to have been held on October 13. has been cancelled. WAR-TIME TRACTOR STAND-BY.

THE tractors in use in this country at the present time are proving their immense value in conserving food and making possible early and rapid preparations for next year's crops. Weather, for the latter part of the harvest, has been splendid, so that with the aid of the tractor, corn crops have now for the most part, been safely gathered in. There is yet to be •dealt with the sugar beet and remaining potato lifting.

For the rest, the tractors have been working incessantly in breaking up the stubbles and new grassland, and preparing for autumn sowing of wheat.

There are many thousands of tractors in the country, plus 50,000 or more held in reserve by the Government. On the other hand, farmers are asked to plough up, and prepare for next year's crops, 1,590,000 acres of land, which is nearly as much as they were asked to do during the whole course of the last war. It will be done, however.

Keeping Association Members Together.

THE energetic secretary of the Eastern Area of A.R.O., Mr. G. W. Irwin, realizing that, under present :onditions, and especially having regard to the restrictions on traveling and to the black-out, it will not )e possible to call the members of his Lrea together for meetings or in any iormal way to keep them acquainted vith the work of the Association, has iit upon a particularly useful ex)edient.

He is sending out a fortnightly lulletin to all members. In the one 7hich lies before us there is informaion concerning petrol rations, the 'revision which is likely to be made in eipect of long-distance transport, and etails of the arrangements for pooling rithin groups.

In addition, members are told xactly what they must do in the Way • f keeping records of work done, in rder to qualify for any renewal of ipplementary supplies of petrol, 3upled with a warning that drivers' :cord, sheets will probably be reaired as a check upon those records. loreover, the Association has taken eps to obtain an ample supply of the .‘cessary forms.

Report of Transport Services, Ltd.

['HE report of Transport Services,

L Ltd., for the year ended May 31, )39, shows that consolidated net earngs of the businesses wholly owned by Le company and its subsidiaries at at date amounted approximately tb 48,909. Deducting provision for .D.C. and income tax, £34,333 reains. Profits retained by subbanes (£2,881), plus another small ma, result in a net balance of 11,440. Preference dividends already id have taken £8,700, whilst general 4erve receives g629, and a 5 per cent. ridend, less tax, on the ordinary ares for the year will take £10,875. The directors have also transferred to a general reserve £9,371 standing to

the credit of premium on shares account, bringing it up to £10,000. The total balance of undistributed profits carried forward in the group Is £12,160 in the accounts of Transport Services, Ltd., and £8,271 in those of subsidiary companies.

Pre-war Progress by Electrics.

DURING the six months ended June last, 447 new 'electric vehicles were registered in this country, as compared with 421 machines in the corresponding half of 1938. Vehicles for loads between 12 cwt. and 1 ton are the most popular, this type having been responsible for 265, or over 60 per cent„ of the total.

SCOTTISH C.M.U.A. APPEAL.

DURING the war the Scottish Corn. mercial Motor Users Association will continue to look after the interests of operators in Scotland in conjunction with the C.M.U.A. and other roadtransport bodies.

A special appeal is made to members to continue to support the National Council and to encourage non-members to join. Members are urged to watch the Press for details of new regulations and orders. The Executive is attending to all urgent matters, including licensing, petrol rationing, and adjustment of rates. The free legal defence scheme will operate as formerly.