News of the Week
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SATISFACTORY POSITION OF RUBBER SALVAGE
THE quantity of scrap rubber collected under the rubber-salvage campaign is considerably in excess of estimates, with the result that, although reiclaimed rubber is used to the fullest practicable extent, there are now large stocks of scrap in hand. This was stat,_d by Mr. Charles Peat, Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Supply, to•the House of Commons last week.
He added that these stocks, together with the high-grade scrap from industry arising mainly through the Tyre Rationing . Scheme, and direct from Government Departments, are sufficient to cover all requirements for a considerable period ahead.
In these circumstances, the Minister had decided to amend the Direction and Orders concerned so that the local authorities will no longer be under an obligation to collect scrap rubber. Mr. Peat emphasized that these arrangements do not imply that there can be any relaxation in economy in the use of rubber, particularIe motor vehicle tyres.
The crude-rubber situation remains extremely critical, and there is at present great pressure on the manufacture. ot tyres and of tyre fabric. It is of great importance to ensure careful maintenance of all tyres in operation, and to surrender them while still fit for re-treading.
OFFICIAL 'TRIBUTE TO ROAD TRANSPORT'S WAR EFFORT THAT the gratitude and admiration 1 of the people of London should be conveyed to London Transport bus drivers and conductors for their courtesy, skill and courage during the war, was a suggestion made 'to Mr. P. J. Noel-Baker, Parliamentary Secretary. M.O.W.T., in the House of Commons, last week.
He replied that he was grateful for the opportunity of paying tribute, once 'again, to the magnificent way in which all road-transport workers, and not least the drivers and conductors o4 the L.P.T.B., had responded to the severe and testing demands made upon them during the war.: He proposed to send a copy of the question and reply to the chairman of the Board and, in so doing, he was sure he would be voicing the general sentiments of the country and the House.
SCHOLARSHIPS FOR NUFFIELD APPRENTICE ENGINEERS
THE Nuffield Organization announces the award of the first three university scholarships in a scheme which allows a boy of 14 years of age, from an elementary school, to go through to the University of Birmingham for three years at £250 a year.
The scheme is open to all Nuffield apprentices with not less than three years' service. The first winners of the scholarships are: Mr. Hedley Thomas Hunnisett (20), Morris Motors, Ltd. (Cars Branch), Cowley; Mr. Robert Stanley Slatcher (19), Morris Motors, Ltd. (Radiators Branch), Oxford; and Mr. Peter John Gosling (20), MorrisCommercial Cars, Ltd,, Birmingham.
Successful candidates take a mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or some other approved degree course, normally for three years, but, in exceptional cases, a fourth year may be allowed for research work or for a postgraduate course in a special branch of engineering. Each scholarship covers tuition and examination fees up to £75 a year, with a maintenance allowance of £175.
PERSONAL PARS
Mk', FRANK WISEMAN is the newly appointed district secretary for Burnley and District Transport Workers' Union; he has been branch secretary at Colne for six years. Now the whole, area will he embraced under the new appoint-. ment, with a central office in Yorkshire Street, Burnley.
MR. C. S. LE CLAIR, M.I.Mech.E., and MR. E. G. TAYLOR have recently been appointed to the board of directors of Tecalemit, Ltd. The former has been with the company close upon 10 years in the capacity of chief engineer, and is now technical director, whilst We latter's service with the company extends over 20 years, and from general sales manager he now becomes sales director.
MR, RONALD GEOFFREY CROWTHER, 0.B.R., of F. Crowther and Son (Wakefield), Ltd., has been elected chairman of the Haulage Sectional Board of A.R.O.'s Yorkshire Area. He succeeds MR. J. A M. BRIGHT, of Selby, who becomes vice-chairman. Apart from his work for A.R.O., in which, he also holds office as chairman of the Leeds Sub-area, Mr Crowther's services to road transport include membership of the Standing Joint Committee's Sand and Ballast Sub-committee, the Yorkshire Area Standing Joint Committee, and the Yorkshire Regional Committee of the Road-Rail Conference,
Ma. C. II. Frsosr, who has occupied the position of chief sales executive to the manufacturing companies of the Rootes Group since 1938; has resigned, after an association with them OT nearly
17 years. His connection with the motor industry goes back to 1919, when on leaving the Army, he became sales manager to Gaston, Williams and Wigmore, thus being concerned with the introduction to this country of the Citroen car. He joined the Hillman Motor Car Co., Ltd., of Coventry, in 1928, and was appointed sales manager the following year. He specialized in large-scale distribution, and was appointed chief sales executive to Humber, Ltd., in 1935.
SUCCESS OF MAJOR ARIGG MEMORIAL
ABROCHURE relating to an appeal initiated to. commemorate, memory of the late Major R. S. Gigg, has been issued by the Austin Motor Co., Ltd. The total has already reached the important sum of £5,500, which goes to the Motor and Cycle Trades Benevolent Fund. This and other memorial funds have brought to £53,000 the amount contributed during Mr. E. L. Payton's presidency.
It should be remembered that this important benevolent organization is the only One connected with the motor industry.
JET PROPULSION AND ROAD VEHICLES
-THE possibility of applying the 1 method of jet propulsion to roadtransport vehicles will be borne in mind, said Mr. Attlee, Lord President of the Council and Deputy Prime Minister, in Parliament, last week. Research on the principles of jet propulsion, he added, was being carried out under the auspices of the Ministry of Aircraft Production and Power Jets, Ltd.
Mr. Cocks raised a laugh when he commented: " There is no general desire to have vehicles careering about the country with red-hot tails."
. MR. G. N. WILSON ON B.R.F. RECONSTRUCTION REPORT
LAST week, in introducing the reconstruction report, entitled " Roads and Road Transport," prepared by the British Road Federation, the chairman, Mr. George N. Wilson, said that, whilst covering the widest range of problems that had yet been discussed at one time by the industry, the proposals in this report constitute an agreed outlook by virtually the whole of the industry upon these problems.
The report itself deals with the two main -problems of the industry. First, there is what he termed the economic and political side of relationships between the industry and Government, also within the industry itself. Secondly, there is the physical side of road development, covering not only construction matters, but questions of road safety and of msthetics.
The B.R.F. proposals are strongly against complete central control, not only by any Government, but from a monopolistic angle. Emphasis is, however, laid on the need for sound regulation in safety, wages, etc.
The Federation is pressing for a more equitable distribution of the burden of taxation over all forms of transport, and for a reduction to a level comparable-with. the existing expenditure on road requirements. It reaffirms its faith in a basic system of motorways, bid demands a general improvement of the road system, both in the open country and in built-up areas.
Much of the supporting evidence will be found, in the latest edition of the B.R.F. publication, "Basic Road Statistics." (This has been brought up to date with the assistance of the M.O.W.T., and is published by the B.R.F., 4a, Bloomsbury Square, London, W.C.1, at is.) PROJECTED TYRE ECONOMY EXHIBITIONS
THE useful and attractive series of exhibitions on the subject of tyre economy, staged by the Ministry of Supply and the M.O.W.T., is being continued, and the following further arrangements lave been made:— Plymouth: Opening August 25, the Corporation Grammar School, North Road, Plymontb. Sessioirs:—Frurn Atrgust 24. Monday to Friday, until September 1; 2.30-4 p.m., 6.30-8 p.m. Morning and other sessions by arrangement. Tickets, Tyre Economy Exhibition Secretary, care of District Transport Officer, Fernhill, Tavisteck Road Plymontb Stokrwort-Tront: Previous arrangements cancelled. Opening noon August 24, Town Hall.
Fenton, Stoke on Trent. Sessions :—From August 25, Monday to Saturday until September 2; 11-12 noon, 3-4 p.m. (except Saturday). Tickets, Tyre Economy Exhibition Secretary, Hillside, Medderaball, Stoke, Staffs. Maidstone: Opening September 6, Routes, Ltd., Mill Street, Maidstone. Seasiona:—Bepteinber 7, 2.30-3.30, and 6.50-7.30 p.m. iexcept Saturday). Closing September 16. Tickets, Tyre Economy Exhibition Secretary, M.O.W.T., 18, Weeks Street, Maidstone.
Norwich: Opening September 7, Royal Hotel. Sessions:—From September 8, 11-12 noon, and -5-4 p.m. (except Saturday). Closing September 16. Tickets, Tyre Economy -Exhibition Secretary, care of the District Transport Officer, 50. Sidney Street, Cambridge.
These exhibitions are meant to help drivers, operators and maintenance staffs secure maximum tyre life.
A.R.O. NORTHERN AREA ELECTIONS
THE following members of the Northern Area have been-elected to serve on A.R.O. national boards and, committees for the ensuing year:— Messrs. A. Todd and H. L. Walker, Haulier Sectional Board; Messrs. S. S. Robson and T. Boutland, Ancillary Users' Sectional Board: Messrs. W. Showier and 0. Dixon, Passenger Sectional Board; Messrs. A. Todd, S. S. Robson and W. Showier, National Council.
Mr. S. S. Robson has been elected chairman of the area and Messrs. H. Wilkinson, S. S. Robson and W. Showier have been re-elected chairmen of theArea Haulier Sectional Board, Ancillary Users' Sectional Board, and Passenger Sectional Board respectively.
B.E.T. GROUP NATIONAL SAVINGS
A NOTEWORTHY contribution to -CA the war effort, in the guise of National Savings, is being made by the employees of the British Electric
Traction Co., Ltd. The total has already exceeded £500,000.
The seven companies with the best average weekly savings per employee for the June quarter were:—Sheffield, 7s. 4d.: East Midland, 6s. 2d.; North NVestern, 5s. 7d.; South Wales, 4s. 11d. ; Aldershot, 4s. 1 Id.; East Yorkshire, 4s, 9d.; Ribble, 4s. 7d. BUS DRIVERS AND HOME GUARD DUTIES I T was suggested to the Secretary for War in the House of Commons last week that busmen who are members of the Home Guard have frequently to use their rest day for H.G. purposes. Sir James Grigg was asked whether, in view of the increasing strain of their duties, he would cause this position to be modified..
Sir James pointed out that instructions issued laid it down that men who are ...working long hours at work 'of national importance should receive special consideration. Moreover, any member of the Home Guard might apply to his commander for relief. SANCTION GIVEN FOR REMOVAL OF ROAD BLOCKS
ARMY Commands have already received instructions that road blocks may be dismantled if no longer serving a useful purpose, and in pursuance of this instruction many of them have already been removed. Owing to the shortage of military labour it is, in many cases, not possible at the present time to divert soldiers • to carry out this work from duties more directly concerned with promoting the war effort.
This statement was made by Mr. Arthur Henderson, Financial Secretary to the War Office, in the House of Commons, last week, when be was asked. by Major Procter if, in view of the danger to the lives of road users, he Would issue instructions to remeaj& such blocks throughout the country.
MINISTRY OFFERS TOWARDS FREEING TOLL BRIDGES .ffillE M.O.W.T. has offered North1 timberland County Council a 50 per -cent. grant—not to exceed £3,075— towards acquiring the toll rights of Ovingham Bridge. A similar grant, not to exceed £2,600. has been offered for freeing the Newburn Bridge.
OFFICIALS OF A.R.O. YORKSHIRE AREA COMMITTEE
THE following have been elected as . representatives on the Yorkshire Area Committee of A.R.O. :—Passenger: Messrs, J. J. Granter, L. Baddeley, R. Barr, T. H. Burrows, S. Camplejohn, H. Foxton, A. Heeley, T. Hoyle, C.. Musgrave, E. Parish, and J. Wild. Haulage: Messrs. R. G. Crowther, S. Bays, J. A. M. Bright, R. E. Britton,
J. T. Gee, A. V. Harrison, G. Lindsay, R. Pearson, J. Tr Rcidwell, B. Spink, AV. Storey, and G. W. Thompson.
R.H.A. IN NOTTINGHAM
AJOINT meeting of the Nottingham Sub-area of A.R.O. and C.M.U.A. with the Nottingham and Notts Transport Association was held a few days ago, when it was decided to set up, under the new R.H.A., one sub-area embracing all the three constituent organizations. Within this sub-area it was further decided to set up a functional group for operators of local traffic.
SIR WILLIAM ROOTES ON THE INDUSTRY'S NEEDS
AT the meeting of Humber, Ltd., last week, the chairman, Sir William Rootes, K.B.E., referred to the essentials for post-war prosperity as being modern equipment, coupled with sound management and hard work, but unless the. motor industry, in common with others, can rehabilitate its earning power by the replenishment and development of its capital assets as early as possible, we shall, as a nation, fail in our peace-time aim of providing complete employment and social security for all.
It is to be hoped that the Government will recognize that the undue burden which the industry has been carrying in high taxation has crippled its growth in the past, and, if continued, would jeopardize the high place that our motor industry can take in the post-war world.
Its vast consumption of raw materials and the wide range of ancillaryindustry it supports affect the lives of many tens of thousands far beyond the bounds of its .own factories. It is, therefore, vital that it should learn the Government's intentions at the earl:est possible. moment ,and, with the encouragement of the Government, make a start in planning for peace.
If immediate planning be made for the home market, it is doubly essential for the export. The industry should know the degree to which the Government intends to encourage and permit it to make capital expenditure on plant and equipment. It is also important to know the degree of priority which will be granted in obtaining raw materials and skilled labour.