Chambers of Commerce Oppose Nationalization D EPLORING t h e Government's
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L./intention to nationalize inland transport, a resolution from the Road Transport Section of Leeds Chamber of Commerce states: "Experience of road transport under the Ministry of War Transport during the war has shown that Government control has been inefficient, inflexible, and unfavourable
to the user. Further, nationalization represents a most serious threat to the interests of C-licence holders." The resolution authorized the preparation of a detailed memorandum of opposition to the nationalization project.
In presenting the resolution to the Council of the Chamber, which unanimously approved it, Mr. Harry Clark, chairman of the Road Transport Section, stated that, so far, five chambers of commerce and trade in the West Riding had passed resolutions against nationalization of inland transport.
Speaking in support of the resolution, Sir Granville Gibson said that he had the greatest sympathy with the thousands of men who had • become road-transport operators by saving or borrowing money, or buying a vehicle on hire purchase. Many who had put their all into little businesses had gone to fight for freedom only to find that t It e Government's nationalization scheme would deprive them of that freedom. There was little doubt that whatever nationalization schemes came before the House of Commons they would be carried, but he still thought the Chamber should protest against such interference with the liberty of the subject.
Mr. C. H. Crabtree said that nationalization of the industry would be a tremendous burden on manufacturers if they had to make their transport arrangements through a Government department and be dealt with by "bureaucratic civil servants." If transport costs increased, the cost of goods for export would have to be raised. 1,000 VEHICLES A WEEK FOR EXPORT: LORD NUFFIELD'S AIM
" I AM convinced that the war was
1 one of the finest advertisements British vehicles could have received in overseas markets," stated Viscount Nuffield, just before he left Liverpool on a tour of the Empire, accompanied by his sales promotion executive, Mr. S. Horniblow. "Every country had an opportunity of seeing for itself what British engineers could achieve in the way of reliable transport suitable for the worst possible conditions, and we can follow up that advantage if we are given the necessary labour and materials, and so help to supply the world demand for transport."
Lord Nuffield went on to say that his concern, Nuffield Exports, Ltd., is dispatching vehicles as quickly as possible. "Provided that we are free from protracted labour disputes, pro duction in my factories in 1946 will be stepped up in accordance with the increased labour and materials made available until we achieve our target, which is to maintain an export output of 1,000 vehicles per week," he said.
WELL-WRITTEN NEW BOOK ON BRITISH ROADS
NAANY books dealing with the roads 1V1 of this country have been published, and the latest, "1 Travel the Road," has been written by Robert Barr. It is not a technical survey of British highways, but rather a romance that deals with their history from the time of the Roman occupation to the present day.
Concerning modern motor coaches, Mr. Barr considers that the development of passenger road transport since the 1914-18 war can only be paralleled by the swift growth of our railways after 1836. Coaching tours in the country are leading to a revival of the trade of rural inns and hostelries„ states the author. Improvements in the design of the coach have been considerable, he adds, and before the war hotel proprietors. co
operated with coaching companies to provide excellent facilities for tourists.
The book is well illustrated and clearly written, with several fine descriptions of ° the scenery of Britain. It is published by Quality Press, Ltd., price 10s. 6d.
TRANSPORT CONCERN BOUGHT WE are advised by Mr. Steve EastIT mead that he has purchased the assets in full of Munt's Transport, Ltd., and that he will be running the concern from Arundel Garage, Cornelia Street, London, N.7. His co-director is his son, who is at present in the R.A.F., M.E.F.
DAIMLER'S 50111 ANNIVERSARY I N connection with the 50th anni versary of the formation of the Daimler Co., Ltd., Coventry, the concern has engaged the well-known writer, Mr. St. John C. Nixon, to compile an account of the history of the company On January 14, 1896, the Daimler concern was registered with a capital of £100,000. Since then it has been in constant production, in association with two other companies, one of which is Transport Vehicles (Daimler), Ltd., producer of Daimler passenger chassis for buses and coaches.
NORTHERN AREA MEETINGS AGAINST STATE CONTROL
ANUMBER of meetings has been arranged by the Northern Area of R.H.A. in connection, with its antinationalization campaign. The centres at which they will be held are as follow;—
NEW FACTORY FOR SEDDON 0/LERS?
LAST week-end, Foster and Seddon, Ltd., of Salford, the maker of Seddon oil-engined lorries, could not confirm the statement that the Board of Trade had consented to the " Woodside " shadow factory at Oldham, Lancashire, being taken 'over by the company. An official of the concern said that the statement was premature. "It is very likely we shall do so, but we are still awaiting sanction front th,t. Board of Trade," he added.
BRITISH MAKER TO RE-EQUIP AUSTRALIAN DEPOTS NAODERN manufacturing machinery .1V1 and new servicing equipment for engine and chassis maintenance will shortly be installed in the Australian depots of Leyland Motors, Ltd. Shipment has already been made, both to Sydney and Melbourne depots, of a variety of up-to-date machinery, including Heenan and Fronde engine testers, cylinder and main-bearing boring machines, degreasing plants, compressors, lathes, and universal milling machines. To familiarize operatives at the depots with the use of the new equipment, machine specialists from the maker's works in this country are to be transferred to Australia.
This modernization and re-equipping of overseas workshops features in the company's plans for increased exports, AWARDS TO GUY MOTORS EMPLOYEES
AT a recent ceremony Mr. Sydney S. Guy, managing director of Guy Motors, Ltd., Wolverhampton, presented 20 certificates to employees who had completed 20 years' service with the concern. Another 21 temporary mementoes were given to employees with a record of 21 years of service, and these qualified for the silver gift, which, it is hoped, will be presented as usual before next Christmas.
THE " INDUSTRIAL TEN" COUPONS AGAIN
ON the advice of the British Employers Confederation and Trades Union Congress, the President of the Board of Trade has decided to issue for the current rationing period 10 additional clothing coupons to a wide range of manual workers in industry and agriculture. The categories of workers eligible are substantially the same as those affected by this special issue in the 1944-45 rationing period.
Part-time workers in eligible occupations may apply if they work at least 22 hours a week; the issue applies also to supervisory workers if they be exposed to exceptionally hazardous conditions. Arrangements have again been made to issue these coupons to workers entering employment for the first time in the course of the rationing period.
They will be obtainable by employers for distribution to their workers at the local offices of the Ministry of Labour.
Special arrangements have been made for certain industries in which there are some workers with exceptionally heavy needs.