Ford Breaks Output and Export Records
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DESPITE a shortage of steel and limitations of factory space and equipment, the Ford Motor Co., Ltd., last year set up records in production said exports. Lord Airedale, chairman, told shareholders last week that 153,115 vehicles, including tractors, were made in 1948, compared with 114,873 in 1947. The 97,299 vehicles (including tractors) exported were valued at £21,744,650. In 1947, 43,933 units were shipped.
Lord Airedale added that of the £134,646,000 earned in 1948 by the export of vehicles and parts, the Ford Moto r, C o., L t d., contributed £23,988,279 Nearly a quarter of the vehicles exported were either Fords or Fordsons. Fifty-six per cent. of the production of commercial vehicles and tractors was sent overseas.
Continental competition, principally from France, Italy and Germany, would become more intense, particularly from Germany, Lord Airedale said.
On Monday the Ford company gave notice of suspension to more than 1,000 men who had decided to continue a " " policy inaugurated last week as a result of a dispute over payment for Bank Holidays It was stated that production had been reduced by about 45 per cent. A meeting is due to take place today (Friday) to consider the men's grievances.
" WEASELS" ILLEGAL ON ROAD 'INADVERTENT infringement of the 'Construction and Use Regulations is the subject of a reference in the latest report of the Lancashire and Western Sea Fisheries District.
Ex-Army Weasles (amphibious vehicles driven by the paddle effect of their tracks) have been used by fishermen at Southport, Bolton-le-Sands and New Brighton for shrimping and cocklina, thus making it possible to work in places unreached by the ordinary shrimper's cart. Certain of these machines are not used on the roads, but in cases where it was necessary to take them on the highway, a £25 licence was charged.
Fisheries' officials tried to agree with the taxation authorities on some concession, such as the 5s. rate for farm tractors, but it has since been made clear that under the Construction and Use Regulations the employment of amphibians on roads is illegal. No question of a concession in taxation could, therefore, arise.
NO EXTRA VEHICLE: B.T.C. CAN DO WORK
AN application to operate an additional vehicle between Warrington and South Wales, to meet the increased production of a local wire manufacturer, was refused by the North-Western Deputy Licensing Authority at Manchester, last week.
For the applicants, Messrs. George Edwards and Son, Thelwall, near Warrington, Mr. A. Edmundson argued that there was need for four vehicles. Mr. N. Broadbent, traffic manager of c2 Rylands, the wire manufacturer, said that during the past 12 months production of wire upholstery springs had increased enormously and the applicants had been proficient in the carriage of such goods. It had taken about five years to coach the firm in the correct carriage of Ryland's goods.
Mr. J. Booth, for the Railway Executive and the Road Transport ' Executive, called Mr. A. Hill, managing director of. A. Leicester (B.T.C.), Ltd., Lymnn, Cheshire. He said that his company had 24 vehicles and two trailers on A licences. Compared with 1947-48, the tonnage carried, had declined in 1948-49 by 6,000. The result was that the company had two vehicles and two trailers standing idle for nearly a year, and could handle Ryland's work.
BAN ON POTATO TRANSPORT MEW arrangements made by the
Minister of Food prohibit the transport by road or rail of new potatoes from Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire (including the Isle of Ely), Huntingdon * shire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Soke of Peterborough or Suffolk into Brecknockshire, Cardiganshire, Carmarthenshire, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Glamorgan, Gloucestershire, Monmouthshire, Pembrokeshire, Radnorshire, Somerset and Wiltshir e. Elsewhere movement is unrestricted.
THREE MORE APPEALS
THE Appeal Tribunal will sit at Halifax House, Strand, London, W.C.2, from June 14-16 to hear three appeals.
On June 14, Messrs. Walker Bros. will appeal against a decision of the Western Deputy Licensing Authority. Two cases are down for hearing on June 16. They are appeals by P. R. Steans against a decision of the East Midland Licensing Authority, and by the Railway Executive against a decision of the East Midland Deputy Licensing Authority.
INDEX TO VOLUME 88
THE index to volume 88 of "The Commercial Motor " is now ready for distribution. Copies, costing Is. Id. by post, can be obtained from this journal at Bowling Green Lame, London, E.C.1.
Leeds to Seek Staff in Bradford ?
TWO proposals aimed at relieving Leeds passenger transport department's acute shortage of traffic staff,
have met with total opposition from the local branch of the Transport and General Workers' Union. This was reported at a recent meeting of the passenger transport committee.
One proposal was to transfer shed staffs to platform duty during peak hours. The other was to recruit part time labour for platform work. In view of the Union's opposition to these proposals, the committee has sought the Ministry of Labour's sanction to recruitment of labour in Bradford.
The Leeds passenger branch of the T.G.W.U. held a special meeting last Sunday to discuss the proposal to use shed staff for platform duties during peak hours. It was decided to ask municipal passenger transport committee to receive a deputation on the matter.
It was pointed out at the union meeting that there is a national agreement covering employment of maintenance workers on platform duties in emergency. The traffic employees' main objection to the Leeds committee' scheme is said to be against use of shed workers for driving only.
Commenting on this proposal, Mr C. R. Tattam, general manager o:
Bradford's transport department, said
"Why should they come to Bradford': The shortage of platform staff in Brad
ford may not be so acute as in othei places, but there are times when im find it difficult to get sufficient staff."
The Leeds undertaking needs abou 300 more platform employees, ant among recruits obtained recently art Poles, Czechs and Jamaicans.
GREEN LINE CHEAP FARES • EXTENDED
AS from Saturday, June there wil be cheap day-fare facilities or Green Line coaches from and te London on every •day of the week including Saturdays, Sundays and Bans Holidays. At present, cheap tickets as issued on Mondays to Fridays only.
The only time restriction will be tha passengers coming into London will no be issued with cheap fare tickets ot coaches arriving before 10.30 a.m. ot Mondays and Fridays.
An additional facility is that afte 4 p.m. on the same day on Saturdays Sundays and Bank Holidays, passenger who have travelled into the country bi. coach may return to London by, rai without extra charge, BIG VEHICLE SALE
AN auction sale of 1,232 vehicles am trailers will take . place at tin Ministry of-Supply depot at Thor' Arch, Boston Spa, Yorks, from Jun. 14-17. Messrs. Hepper and Sons Hepper House, East Parade, Leeds, 1 ' are the auctioneers, from whom catalogue of the sale can be obtainee
New regulations relating to pedestriai crossings have been drafted and inter ested organizations are to be consultec