ROAD AND RAIL MEMORANDUM TO THE T.A.C.
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LAST Monday an important joint memorandum prepared by the Liaison Committee on Road Transport Rates and the four main-line railway companies, relating to informal conversations which have taken place on the railway's claim for freedom of rates control, was submitted to the Transport Advisory Council. The main features of this document are dealt with in a leader in this issue.
Handbook on National Emergency Road Transport.
THE distribution of the Ministry of Transport handbook describing the Government scheme for the organization of goods road transport in the time of national emergency is to begin immediately. Copies are being sent by post to every holder of an A. B or C licence and it is estimated that the total number distributed will be nearly a quarter of a million.
In addition, copies of the booklet (entitled " Organization of Road Transport for a Defence Emergency ") • can now be obtained from H.M. Stationery Office, price 4d, per copy.
Cattle Container " Part of Vehicle."
BELPER magistrates were asked to decide, last week, the question of whether a container for the removal of cattle was part of the vehicle or part of the load. They decided that it was part of the vehicle, and convicted Mr. James Wood, cattle remover, Elton, Matlock, of using a goods vehicle for which a higher rate of duty was applicable than that paid. As it was the first case of its kind, Mr. Wood was exonerated on payment of £15 duty which had been evaded.
The case was described by Mr. D. Gilman, prosecuting, as one of considerable importance to the local taxation authorities and to a certain class of road user. It was not governed by any decision of the High Court.
For the defence, Mr. Moore had sub-• mitted that the container was constructed or adapted for the purpose of being taken off and, therefore, no offence had been committed. The law on the point was ambiguous, and any ambiguity in law always favoured a defendant. He admitted the facts as proved.
Kent Haulage Concern Acquired.
W/E understand that Medway TransVV port, Ltd., Rainham, Kent, a longdistance road-haulage concern operating to many parts of the country and possessing 18 vehicles and three trailers, with a total unladen weight of approximately 79 tons, has been taken over by Greenwood's Transport, Ltd., of Ramsey, Hunts. Negotiations for the transaction were, we learn, carried out by Messrs. Goddard and Smith, 70, Seymour Place, London, W.1.
Bedford Distributors in London.
I N dealing with the new Bedford
Seammell tractor-trailer outfit in our issue for last week Keith and Boyle (London), Ltd., was stated as being the main London Bedford distributor. This was obviously 3. mistake as this concern is hut one of several main Bedford distributors in the London area.
1938 IMPORT AND EXPORT UPS AND DOWNS.
BOARD of Trade returns for Decem1,ber, 1938, show that the value of commercial vehicles, cars, chassis and accessories imported during that month was £334,988, this being more than £100,000 down on the comparable figure (£443,626) for 1937. For the whole year ended December 31, the value of these imports totalled £3,388,023, the 1937 total being £5,155,366, and that for 1936 £4,217,838.'
There was a slight decrease in the number of commercial vehicles exported during December, although their value rose appreciably. The same remark applies to the figures for the year, which show a decrease in number, but an increase in value. The total for December was 215 vehicles, with a value of £128,108, contrasted with 234 vehicles and 476,638 in December, 1937. The year's total was 3,384, against 3,815 for 1937, their value being 21,639,868 and 21,058,998 respectively, In the case of exports of commercial chassis, the figure for December showed a decrease both in number and in value. The total for December last was 913, compared with 943 in the previous year, the respective values being 2166,677 and 2195,713. In 1938, 10,890 chassis, valued at 22,243,919, were exported, against 16,614 chassis and 22,771,295 in 1937.
Manchester To Stage Electric Vehicle Exhibition.
THE third annual electric-vehicle exhibition, held under the auspices of the Electric Vehicle Association of Great Britain, will be held in Manchester on February 21 and 22. The venue is the Dickinson Street Garage of the electricity department of Manchester Corporation. On this occasion, six vehicle makers and four battery manufacturers are exhibiting, and the show will be widely representative of the types of vehicle available,