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The Driver Position and Driver Training.

6th January 1916
Page 5
Page 5, 6th January 1916 — The Driver Position and Driver Training.
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By The Editor.

Mr. Asquith's promised statement concerning results under the Derby Scheme of enlistment is not. yet public property, as we go to press with this issue, liotwithstanding earlier anticipations concerning the date of his speech. We are, as a journal, only concerned, of course, with the working of the Derby Scheme in relation to the retention of the minimum number of effectiyes to render possible continued working of essential motor transport. The views which we expressed in our second leading article of the 23rd ult. have largely been met and satisfied by the official inclusion of drivers of heavy motorcars in the list of "Reserved occupations." We were able to announce this success for the C.M.U.A., on one of the later pages in our issue of the aforementioned date, and to give its official wording.

If Employers Have To Appeal.

We are now in a position to make a little clearer the functions of the appeal tribunals, which special committees of reference have been established in order to constitute independent and competent panels of appeal from decisions of local tribunals, as may he necessary. We gather that these appeal committees, each of which will be composed of men who have special knowledge of a particular profession or trade, will sit in London, and will deal with eases which are remitted to them by local tribunals. One can readily conceive that contentions and disputes will legi-La mately arise, as between the military authorities and members of different professions. and industries, concerning the balance of claim to numbers of men. Acute differences of opinion can only arise, we think, in respect of men of more than usual commercial, industrial, or professional qualifications. It. is by no means safe to conclude that everybody will be inclined to reach a decision in favour of the Army, rather than in favour of this or that. individual moneymaking project. The country must pay its way, as well as fight battles.

Local tribunals will be able, apparently, ta settle fully 00 per cent, of the cases which are. raised before them, and we expect that the work of the, London appeal committees will not be very onerous. Appeals will probably come through in a regular stream, rather than in irregular batches, and the rate of increase will dearly depend upon the duration of the war. We do not anticipate difficulties for members of the motor industry, seeing that they are so generally occupied on munition and allied production. Users of commercial motors, however, will undoubtedly have varying experiences, according to the nature of their businesses.

Drivers and Drivers.

It has been officially announced, as• we reported a fortnight ago, that the reservation of drivers does not apply where the men are "engaged in delivering to private houses." This limitation of the exemption will affect large numbers of our supporters, but we must point out to them that they have alternatives . which are not open to owners who are exclusively concerned with heavy loads or large single deliveries in the course of trade. The lighter vans and lorries can be quite successfully driven by women, or by youths. • Additional relief, it. is to be hoped, will soon be . afforded by an additional lowering of the minimum age for the holding of motorcar-driving licences.

A Reserved Minimum Per Trade.

The official estimate of the motorbus organizations. of Great Britain, in respect of the minimum number of men of military age and fitness, who must be left to the industry to fill positions as drivers and mechanics, is 5000; the corresponding estimate, by the C.M.U.A., for drivers and mechanics on the goods side, is SOUG men of Military age and fitness. This line of argument, which was adopted before the Reserved Occupations Committee of the Board of Trade early . last month, appears to be gaining in prospect. of acceptance by the Government. It is not unlikely that every industry in the country will be allotted an official minimum of men of military age and fitness, and' that all other men in that category will be transferred to munitions or active service:.

Better Organization All Round.

The trend of events for the New Year is already . seen. It is a greater .readiness on the part of the public at large to accept the inevitable consequences of efficient organization, and of the Government to snake efficient. organization their watchword.. These •.

decisions have been -taken none too soon. Users of commercial motors must be prepared to bear some of the effects and we are O`onfident that they will not seek to escape any which their duty to the country imposes upon them. • No Movement can be so inti

mately associated witkthe.nation's welfare, as is the transport industry in all 45 branches, and fail to show contemporaneously the reflex of war's effects upon its activities.'Whilst cannot hope to see . more than the bare minimum.. of mechanics left to . them, there are opportunities 'within their own control in regard to the creation of new supplies of drivers. There was.little.inducement, we admit, until quite recently, to train drivers who might, whether efficient or inefficient, leave at any moment to join the Army. That difficulty has now been removed, and there is a real incentive to the user to train

men. These These men have to be found amongst the medically unfit, discharged soldiers, and youths below

military age. The field is not as large as one might wish, but it is now definite. The inroads of the recruiting sergeant. are .stayed, •so far 'as the :A.SC.o. ALT., is concerned, for the Army will not again offer 6s. a day and separation allowance.

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People: Asquith
Locations: London

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