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NEWS of the WEEK

11th May 1940, Page 14
11th May 1940
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Page 14, 11th May 1940 — NEWS of the WEEK
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BEET AND SOFT-FRUIT HAULAGE —A.R.O. ACTION AN attempt is being made by A.R.O. to provide that there shall be an improvement in the conditions under which the sugar-beet crop of the next campaign is transported to the factories. Particular attention is being paid to the development of the small advisory committees which were started last year in the eastern area. The problem of ensuring better co-operation between hauliers and farmers and factories is also having attention.

Mr. Sewill has met this week representatives, of the two principal organizations concerned with a view to that end. In our next issue we propose to deal with the subject at some length. The article will include a summary of the results of the extensive inquiries which have been made by S.T.R., The Commercial Motor costs expert, who, as is well known, has for many years made a special study of this subject.

A.R.O. is also negotiating with a view to ending the present deadlock in the arrangements for the distribution of the forthcoming season's soft-fruit crop, in connection with which there appears, in some quarters, to be a considerable lack of understanding. The true needs of the grower in respect of transport want emphasis, as also do thaw of the haulage contractors who will inevitably be called upon to do most of the work. The latter are still in doubt as to the extent to which they will be allowed to help and until they have that information are afraid of incurring the expense which will be involved in preparing their vehicles and equipment. • C-licence Holders and Fuel Supplies )pEPUTATION from the Asso ciates' Committee of the British Road Federation was received by the Minister of Transport on May 3 and placed before him details of the difficulties that are being experienced by holders of C licences in connection with their fuel requirements. It was introduced by Mr. F. G. Bristow,' C.B.E., hon. secretary of the Federation, whilst Mr. W. H. Gaunt, C.B.E.. chairman of the Associates Fuels Committee of the Federation, presented the case on behalf of the deputation.

Views were submitted under the following headings:—(a) Basis of calculation of fuel allowances; (b) Interpretation of general instructious: (c) Restriction of radius of operation; (f) Retail collection and distribution; (g) Exhaustion of stocks of motor fuels; (h) Evidence of need; (i) Railways as an alternative form of transport; (j) Simplification of records; (k) Period of validity of coupons.

The Minister discussed these subjects at length with members cf the deputation and promised to give immediate and sympathetic consideration to the submissions made.

Rates for Army Hiring

ACLUE as to the rates to be paid to those contractors supplying transport to the Army, and to whom what is known as the " Wandsworth Rate " was circulated, is provided by a tentative agreenent concerning the Eastern Command. The terms .are that : (a) The Wandsworth Rate than be paid up to the end of September, 1939; (b) hiring during October, 1939, shall be paid for at the Wandsworth Rate less 124 per cent.; (c) that subsequent to that month it shall be at the Wandsworth Rate less 15 per cent.

This, of course, does not affect other Commands, but may help in relation to these.

War-vehicle Repairs: Planning for the

Future

ALTFIOUGH it has not yet been deemed necessary for damaged motor vehicles sent back from the war zone to go farther than two wellknown centres, greater emergencies are being provided against. Garages in other parts of the country may thus be utilized, and forms have been issued to the owners asking if they be prepared for and capable of undertaking overhaul and replacement work.

Within about 15 miles of Manchester, for example, some 70 concerns have reported on their facilities in men and plant, in reply to inquiries issued by Mr. Ll. Davies, secretary of the East Lancashire and Cheshire Division of the Motor Agents' Association. The underlying motive of the movement is "Be Prepared." FINANCIAL DETAILS OF THE ROAD FUND

THE Road Fund accounts for the year ended March 31, 1939, show receipts of £22,215,154 and payments of £21,137,735, the latter being higher by £1,592,557 than the total for the previous year. Thus receipts exceeded expenditure by £1,077,419. Under the heading of outgoings, -grants to highway authorities, etc., accounted fot £15,887,607 and expenditure on trunk roads for £4,344,667. Two other items are worthy of note; one, the provision and maintenance of vehicles or equipment for use by the police force in connection with the enforcement of the 1930 Road Traffic Act, involving an outlay of £285,023, and the other, work on research and experiments, costing £69,957.

A footnote to the balance sheet shows that commitments outstanding at March 31, 1939, in respect of grants made or indicated with Treasury approval amounted to L55,999,000. In addition, there was an outstanding_ liability of £12,995,000 for works of major improvement and new construction of trunk roads.

Safety Congress Planned

THE National Safety Congress will be held at the Connaught Rooms, London, W.C.2, on May 17. The provisional programme includes an address at 10.45 a.m, by the Minister of Transport, which will be followed by a discussion upon war-time measures for road safety. The luncheon will be forlowed by an address by Sir John Anderson, Minister of Home Security, upon war-time safety measures affecting education authorities and industrial and transport undertakings, when Lord McGowan will be in the chair.

Austin Savings Group Success

ALTHOUGH only recently inaugurated, the National Savings Scheme at the factories of the, Austin Motor Co., Ltd., has achieved an outstanding response, over 80,000 certificates having been applied for. The company has, in addition, taken up £25,000 of war loan. The Austin employees' scheme is based on a 6d. a week deduction from wages, over a period of 30 weeks, for each certificate.

FURNITURE REMOVERS' ANNUAL CONFERENCE

rri4E annual conference of the I National Association of Furniture Warehousemen and Removers will be held on May 22 at the Hotel Victoria, Northumberland Avenue, London, W.C.2. It will be a one-day conference, the programme being as follows :-10.30 a.m., general meeting —British Association of International Furniture Removers; 11.20 a.m. to 1 p.m., annual general meeting— National Association, and annual raeeting of the benevolent fund; 1 p.m., luncheon (members only) ; 2.30-5,30 p.m., general meeting dealing with (1) Road Haulage Central Wages Board decisions, (2) proposal to obtain agreement for vehicle-carrying capacity to be expressed in cubic measurement, accompanied by a paper by Mr. C. H. 13atty on reasons for this, (3) rates for hired men, (4) report by Major Taylor on the Work of the Road and Rail Central Conference, (5) discussion on effects of war conditions in all aspects; 7 p.m., annual meeting—Institute of the Furniture Warehousing and Removing Industry..

Keep the Wheels Turning

IT has been suggested by the Motor Trade War Executive, 201, Great Portland Street, London, W.1, that members of associations which include operators of commercial vehicles should display on their vehicles, in the common interest, posters dealing with the need for keeping the wheels turning.

For the sake of the retail, motor trade of the country, it is important that efforts entirely to eliminate the use of private cars should be resisted most strongly. It is also necessary to fight biased propaganda.

Details of posters and leaflets may be obtained at the above address.

Safe-driving Awards for P.O. Drivers

UNDER the auspices of the ..)National " Safety First " Association, awards were presented last week to Aberdeen Post Office drivers. In all, eight drivers received gold medals for clean driving records for 10 years, 14 were awarded bars to their silver' medals, and 21 received diplomas for one year. This is the first occasion on which Aberdeen drivers have received gold medals for 10 years' blameless driving. Handing over the awards, Lord Provost Mitchell complimented the drivers on their fine record.

Overlapping in Food Transport

THE opinion that there was a great deal of overlapping in the transport of food was expressed by Mr. George I3ennett Mitchell, Divisional Food Officer, at a meeting of Peterhead traders, last week. As the Armed Forces required more and more petrol, some change was necessary he said. No one wished to create a monopoly, 'but in the outlying districts, the grocer in the 1914-18 war took the bread and, perhaps, a parcel of meat ordered by customers, and some such arrangement might again be necessary.

Whilst the Ministry of Transport might regulate the travelling shops in

connection with petrol supplies, according to public needs, it would be in the interests of all parties if a committee be formed, representative of the different trades in the area, to go into that matter.

After Mr. Beby, Ministry of Transport representative, had spoken on petrol supplies, and Mr, J. Downie Campbell had dealt with the enforcement of the regulations, the meeting adopted Mr. Bennett Mitchell's suggestion, and appointed a committee to consider the question of co-ordinating transport in the area.

Bid for Better Potato Rates

EASTER ROSS branch of the Scottish Farmers' Union has resolved to make representations for a special long-distance haulage rate for carrying potatoes from outlying. districts to centres in Scotland and England.

Trade Representative Available

AMAN with a long experience in the motor trade in positions such as salesman, commercial-vehicle representative and sales manager, used to controlling works and staff, and possessing excellent references, requires a

suitable position. Letters should be addressed " Sales," care of the Editor.

Omissions to Conserve Paper

AS a result of the urgent need for conserving available paper supplies, we are now omitting from this journal two features normally carried among our advertisement pages. These are " Useful Names for Users " and our

"Index to Advertisers." We will, however, whenever possible, include an index to advertisers whose announcements actually appear in the particular issues concerned. GOVERNMENT INSTRUCTION TO INSTALL BENZOLE PLANT

GWING his presidential address to the North of England Gas Managers' Association, at Newcastle-onTyne, last week, Mr. T. Law, of Melton, said the Government had requested all gasworks using 5,000 tons of coal or more per annum to install benzoic plants. He said that, before the war, controversy existed as to whether benzole recovery was a paying proposition. He considered that, in the present circumstances, the profit from benzoic might be more than counteracted by the extra cost of making water gas due to the good price of coke and the high cost of gas oil.

A ReaI Promoter of Road Safety at Night

SO much eulogy of the Hartley headlamp mask had come to our ears, that it was with great expectations that we set out to investigate it for ourselves. Our experiences reveal that its characteristics have not been overstated, In a word, it removes one',s disinclination to• drive after dark. The intensity, etc., of the light emitted is within the statutory limits, but one certainly gains the impression that there is superior illumination. Moreover, the width of the beam is a great asset. On the blackest of nights turnings on right or left can easily be identified.

The Hartley represents a definite contribution to road safety. Recently, on a dark night, our bulb failed, and we switched on the near-side lamp, which was shielded with a mask we bad made ourselves to the official specification. The contrast was highly unfavourable to our handiwork.

TIMBER FOR VEHICLE CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE itf ANUFACTURERS or coachbuilders IVI requiring hardwood or imported softwood for the repair, 'maintenance or construction of motor vehicles for civilian use in this country, or for export. should apply to the Secretary, Ministry of Transport, Room 349, Metropole Buildings, Northumberland Avenue, London, W.C.2, for the necessary forms of application.

Applications for timber for vehicles for Service Departments should be made to the departments requiring the vehicles. For vehicles for the Auxiliary Fire Services and Air-raid Precautions Services, applications should be made to the Principal Priority Officer, Ministry of Health, Whitehall, London, S.W.1, and for agricultural vehicles to the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Whitehall, S.W.1.

Until further notice, applications for home-grown softwood or plywood should be made direct to an Area Timber Control Officer.

Ancillary Operators' Interest in Electries

I NTEREST which liquid-fuel ration

ing has stimulated in alternative fuels was reflected in the numerous inquiries received at an exhibition of battery-electric vehicles held, last week, at the Central Garage, Leeds, under the auspices of the Electric Vehicle Association. Many of the inquiries were from large ancillary users, The vehicles on view were representative of seven makes—Midland, Wilson, Morrison, Electricar, Tilling-Stevens, Metrovick and Murphy—and they ranged from 5 cwt. to 3 tons in carrying capacity, and from £250 to £700 in price. The Thornton Engineering Co., Ltd., the Bradford concern of motor traders, which is Yorkshire distributor for Tilling-Stevens electric vehicles, and central and north Yorkshire distributor for Midland electrics, co-operated in the exhibition.

Court Representation by Union Officials I N Ayr Sheriff Court, last week, sheriff substitute D. R. Scott and Mr. Norman Macpherson, Glasgow, organizer of the'Scottish Horse and Motormen's Association, crossed words on the matter of the interpretation of the emergency regulations, which permit accused persons employed in " essential services " to be represented in court by trade union officials and others,

Mr. Macpherson, who was seeking permission to represent a driver in a motoring prosecution, contended that as accused was employed in the distribution of food, he was engaged in an essential service. The sheriff pointed out that van drivers w ere engaged in just the same work -as in peace-time.

Mr. Macpherson said that there was no intention on the part of his Association to encroach on the legal pro fession. His Association, last year, had paid £1,000 to that profession, There was a defence fund for small cases, but these now averaged from 12 to 15 per month and the, Association could not afford to pay for representa tion out of the fund. It was only because of the emergency that officials were appearing. . Otherwise, in small cases, the men would require to appear themselves. Representation was allowed.

A.E.C.'s Interim Dividend

THE directors of the Associated Equipment Co., Ltd., have declared an interim dividend at the rate of 6d. per Ll unit of stock, free of income tax,

Maker of Enness Gas Plant I N connection with the Enness equipped Scammell 12-tonner running on producer gas, which was described in our issue dated May 4, we are asked to point out that the company responsible for the plant is Enness Gas Producers, Ltd., 19, Old Queen Street, Westminster, London, A.R.O. Sub-area Dinner and Dance

BY all signs the forthcoming annual dinner and dance of the South Metropolitan Sub-area of A.R.O. is going to be an outstanding affair. The date is Friday, May 17, the venue Pyne's Restaurant, 153, Lewisham High Road, London, S.E.14, and the

price of tickets 8s. 6d. each. The hon. secretary, to whom application for tickets must be made, is Mr. S. W. Vinter, H.O.K. Transport, 79, Mycenae Road, London, S.E.5. GLOSSARY OF HIGHWAY ENGINEERING TERMS

RESULTING from careful 'work, by a representative technical committee, extending over several years, a glossary of highway engineering terms comprises an addition to the series of glossaries of technical terms issued by the British

Standards Institution. It is ,hoped that its publication will lead to a more exact usage _of technical terms, and will enable the student or layman to understand the terminology peculiar to road engineering.

Copies of this British Standard, No. 892-1940, may be obtained from the Institution at 28, Victoria Street, London, S.W.1, price 5s. each, or 5s. 4d. post included.

Karrier Refuse Collectors in Production 1N our issue for April 27, from infor mation supplied by the Spenborough Engineering Co., Ltd., we inserted a paragraph under the heading, " Prompt Delivery of Spenborough Products."

This may have been taken to indicate that hydraulically operated refusecollecting bodywork on the Cob and Bantam chassis was no longer available from Karrier Motors, Ltd., and we have been asked by both the Spenborough concern and Karrier Motors, Ltd., to emphasize that this statement is unfounded. The latter company states that, subject to the exigencies of Government requirements, both Cob and Bantam vehicles of various types are being manufactured, and orders for these and for complete refuse-collecting outfits are being accepted.

Period of Validity of -Fuel Coupons REFERENCE to the validity period of petrol coupons for commercial vehicles was made at last week's meeting of the council of the Leeds Incorporated Chamber of Commerce. Mr. A. H. Butterwick, A.M.Inst.T., chairman of the road-transport section, said the Petroleum Board had, hitherto, taken the attitude that the month for which the coupons were valid was of 28 days, but the section's contention that the period should be a calendar month had been upheld and the point had been settled on that basis.

Army Driver Collides with Police Van

WHEN the driver of an Army lorry WV was fined er) for two offences at Glasgow Sheriff Court, last week, an Army officer stepped forward and paid the fine, The driver, Private A. Wilson, pleaded guilty to charges of having driven the lorry in London Road. Glasgow, on April 27, while under the influence of drink to such an extent as to be incapable of having proper control of the vehicle, and to having driven carelessly and hit a police patrol van.

Police witnesses gave evidence that their van had stopped at Bridgeton Cross, and the Army lorry was being driven at such a speed that accused was unable to pull up in time, and collided with the rear of the police vehicle. When they emerged from the van to take particulars they discovered that Private Wilson was nnder the influence of think. In addition to the fine. Wilson's driving licence was suspended for 12 months. PERSONAL PARS

MR. RICHARD HAWKINS," rolling stock superintendent to Merthyr Tydfil Corporation, has been appointed assistant engineer and manager to Southport Transport Committee.

MR. W. C. PERCIVAL, who has been elected to the National Council of the Public Service Transport Association, is manager of the Venture Transport Co., Ltd., of Consett. He was formerly a member of Newcastle-on-Tyne City Council and a pioneer in the plan for replacing the city's trams by buses. He was secretary of the Northern Road Transport Owners' Association from 1932-39.

MR. S. E. DOVE, managing director of Messrs. Dove and Dove. Daybrook, Notts, is, this Whitsun, celebrating the silver anniversary of his wedding. His career started on the concert-hall platform, where he was an entertainer and ventriloquist, bat, so far back as 1909, long-distance transport by road appealed to his imagination, and the next year he purchased his first motor vehicle, building his new enterprise into the well-known Nottingham business of Messrs. Dove and Dove, furniture removers and haulage contractors. Thirty years ago it took Messrs. Doves' vehicles 10 clan to 'make the Nottingham-Glasgow return journey; now the actual running time is well under 30 hours. Mr. Dove estimates that he has now driven commercial vehicles for well over 1,500,000 miles.

Group Buying of Petrol

I T is an open secret that many corn

mereial-vehicle operators are unable to &inn the monthly minimum of 200 gallons of petrol that would entitle them to special terms and sole use of a particular storage tank and pump. They are, therefore, grouping themselves—two, or three, or more operators —to enjoy the advantages of bulk purchases and the exclusive use of a storage outfit. Each operator thus

gets his fuel at a cheaper rate than even the recognized motor trader and, therefore, much cheaper than if he had to buy from the tiader, as he is supposed to do, when his monthly needs fall below 200 gallons.

Motor concerns, naturally anxious to safeguard their own interests, are asking whether any regulations are broken by operators combining in this manner. The subject was raised, for example, at a recent northern division meeting of the Motor Agents' Association, but an official intimation was read from London that "a rule has been laid down " permitting the practice, provided the petrol be not acquired for resale.

• MEAT HAULIERS UNITE

Meat-transport contractors, responsible for the delivery of meat to retail shops, from the Stavley . market, Liverpool, and the Lairages, Birkenhead, have formed themselves into a section of the Liverpool Cart and Motor Owners' Association. The first chairman of the section is Mr. W. A. Bridge, of the Hay's Wharf Cartage Co., Ltd.

We have been asked by Bristol Industries, Ltd., to point out that the company has not purchased the business of J. Spurling, Ltd., but is working in close co-operation with that company.


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