Out and Home.—By "The Extractor."
Page 12
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One cannot help but be impressed by the extraordinary improvement in the surface of the roads within the last few years. I have renewed regular acquaintance with the roads after an interval of about four years, and the extent to which tar macadam has already been estab
lished astonishes me. Even the roads not thus treated have improved in quality, and they must be a great boon, besides a saving in wear and tear, to the commercialvehicle users in their inter-conamu nication between large towns. Everything that tends to simplify and shorten journeys is to the good Of the vehicle manufacturer and the user. It naturally follows that the public will eventually secure the benefit of cheaper rates. To my mind the direction signs require serious tackling now. I never make a journey by road but I find a van or a lorry which has come to a fork in the road and has taken the wrong turn, involving a reverse in order to get back on to the required road, because it is impossible to read the signpost until the driver has taken his chance to left or right.. This would all be obviated if at all important road forks a sign was placed on the left-hand side about 50 yards before reaching the junction indicating, one will say, that Basingstoke ,is to the left, and Reading to the right. Many argue that the letters on present signs should be made larger, but to my mind they could not even then be read until you had taken your chance and by natural perversity the wrong road. Every driver of a motor notices a growing tendency to overdo the caution boards, but the privately-owned board warning you of a carriage drive ahead is taken at its own value. I should like to hear some opinions about this suggestion of mine as to boards 50 yards ahead of important junctions. I do not remember the suggestion being made before, and I think every motor driver taking strange country would feel the inestimable benefit.
It was, I think, Gladstone who said that the most. important act-ion which bade for success in party politics was that you should register, and the same advice may well be given to manufacturers in connection with trade overseas. It is vital that makers' names should be registered in our dominions, colonies and other countries overseas, otherwise names of popular commercial vehicles may be appropriated by local manufacturers or assemblers, and the. British maker will find that he must choose another name for that country or pay a heavy royalty to the appro priator. I understand that about £50 will cover the cost of fees for all countries likely for business. Already in New Zealand some English manufacturers have been compelled to select another name, and thus lose the benefit of their advertising in this country. Another most important case is pending in South America, which will represent a gigantic loss if it goes against the British manufacturer. I recommend those at home, therefore, in view of the rapid development of overseas trade, if they have not already done so to put their house in order and Register. The Editor has, I understand, already dealt with this subject in his Editorial notes, so proving once again the old saw of "Great minds."
I just caught Mr. Frank Brown last week on the eve of his departure for Canada in the interests of his company, David Brown and Sons (Huddersfield). Ltd., Oa wellknown gear specialists. This company has made a big advance of late, and it is not surprising, that one of the headsof the concern
• should find it necessary to visit Canada_ Mr. Frank Brown is a popular personage, both in Yorkshire and London. He is sure to make many friends, and to secure fat orders, on the other side.