T HOUGHTS

12th November 1929, Page 132

12th November 1929

Page 132

Page 132, 12th November 1929 — T HOUGHTS

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Keywords : Road Transport, Motoring Taxation In The United Kingdom, Logistics, Transport, Mini, Mot Test, Business, Economy Of The United Kingdom

ENGENDERED Y OLYMPIA

By HERBERT MORRISON (Minister of Transport) MHE important Ninth International Commercial Motor Exhibition which is now being held at Olympia, although not, perhaps, making quite the same appeal to the general public as its sister exhibition which has recently closed, will, I have no doubt, be as full of lessons and messages for those who are willing to learn, as its predecessor of two years ago. Many types of vehicle of exceptional interest are on view.

In addition to their trade value these exhibitions undoubtedly help to bring home to us the rapid progress which the British commercial-motor industry has made and is making. For this reason, if for no other, I looked forward to my visit to the Exhibition on November 7th, when I had the honour of declaring it open.

A Seven Years' Advance.

From the records of the licensing authorities I find that the number of commercial-motor vehicles now engaged in carrying goods and passengers on the roads is over 400,000. In 1922 the number was only slightly above 200,000. To have doubled its number in seven years is a striking achievement for the industry. But mere numbers are not everything. Recent years have shown a steady improvement in the general standard of equipment and performance. One development to which, as Minister of Transport, I attach the greatest importance, is the Increasing tendency to equip commercial vehicles, even of the heavier types. with pneumatic tyres. This is true not only of motor coaches and motor omnibuses, but also of lorries. Not only will this decrease the wear and tear of the roads and the cost of maintenance of the vehicles themselves, but it will also tend to reduce noise and vibration.

Whilst welcoming the progress which is being made in this direction, I do not think that it is out of place for me to take this opportunity for making an appeal to that minority of owners which is still inclined to send its vehicles out on the roads without proper regard to their upkeep and condi tion. Flapping tail-boards, badly packes1 loads, defective solid tyres are still to be seen and heard and I would most earnestly ask for the hearty co-operation of designers, manufacturers, owners and drivers, to do all in their power to remove these causes for legitimate complaint. Minister, manufacturers, users and drivers must co-operate in making all classes of road transport fit in with decent public feeling. If we do this we shall all be saved a lot of trouble.

Another complaint which is still too common is that at night many lorries are inefficiently lighted for the speed at which they travel. Oil lamps are, still not unknown. Electric-lighting installations are indeed becoming more and more common, but anything that can be done to improve the standard of lighting of many of the heavy motor vehicles still on the roads would add greatly to the safety and comfort of all users of the highway.

Amazing Growth of the Industry.

The growth of commercial road transport has been astounding and it has been accompanied and helped by the great progress made In technical practice. The most important problem now is to see that this great public facility is developed on correct lines so as to be able to play its proper part, alongside other methods of transport, in promoting the general prosperity of the country. On this question it may be hoped that valuable guidance will be forthcoming from the Royal Commission on Transport, which is now entering upon its consideration of that part of its terms of reference.

T HOUGHTS

Page 132

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