LOOSE LEAVES
Page 36
Page 37
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
WE were guests last Tuesday of the President of the Royal Society, Sir Gowland Hopkins, at the National Physical Laboratory, Teddington. This annual visit is one to which we look forward with pleasure. Few people realize the vast amount of general scientific and research work which is continually in progress in this wonderful establishment, which is under the able direction of Sir Joseph E. Petavel,
D.Sc., F.R.S.
It is impossible to refer to the hundreds of different sections, but we may mention that many researches of vital interest are being made in connection with motor vehicles and the materials used in their construction.
l'FfE Brampton station of the London Fire Brigade is to be congratulated upon its remarkable efficiency in the average time of "turning out." 1318 During the year 193031 this average was 11:64 seconds, achieved by Watch B. The next best was Watch A, of Tooting, the time in this instance being 14 seconds. The chairman of the London County Council will present the Sir Edward Smith Cup to the winning team on the occasion of the annual display of the brigades on July 4th.
THERE is one good point about the present state
of trade, that is, it is, in many instances, promoting a better understanding between employers and employees. The difficulties of the former are being realized, and appreciation is being shown in a practical manner, as in the case of the sales staff at Selfridges. In this vast store the staff actually offered to arrange for the premises to be kept open an extra hour per clay. This helpful attitude is beginning to extend in other directions. SOME interesting figures concerning rubber pro duction are contained in a recent bulletin of the Rubber Growers Association. The estimated production of rubber for 1931 for the various sources of supply are—British territory 59 per cent., Dutch 37 per cent., others 4 per cent. Of the total supply 46 per cent. is under European ownership, 51 per cent. under Asiatic and 3 per cent. Unclassified.
It is evident that co-operation between the Dutch and British would establish control, but as a large proportion is produced by literally hundreds of thousands of small Asiatic owners, any regulatien of output could only be attempted through the medium of the respective Governments. IF the railway companies carry to its logical con clusion their present policy of objecting to all competitive services they are likely to find times more and more difficult as they proceed. Their lawyers, on the other hand, whilst they may find life to be more and more strenuous, are not so likely to notice the difficulties. The current proposal to establish an aerodrome at King's Cross, for example, if it be but the forerunner of others of the same kind, opens up vast possibilities. Surely there is already an adequate service of trains between Croydon and London, and, therefore, no need for this redundant service I We look for an early protest on the part of the railway concerned.