One Man's Opinion
Page 27
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CRITICISM is a rather relative thing, because sideswipes are easy things to bowl and very difficult to bat away. But there is a type of mature, considered opinion which must merit serious attention. Into this latter category of criticism obviously fall the comments by Mr. J. T. Turner, published on pages 352 and 353 of this issue, in his capacity as chairman of the National Road Transport Federation's vehicles committee.
Mr. Turner says: "I feel that there is a gulf between what we know and what we assume in regard to the use and performance of diesel engines." Then he goes on to suggest that some of the equipment and fuel provided is inherently below standard in respect of smokeless and fume-free combustion. No doubt the manufacturers would not agree, and without • a very detailed examination it is not possible to state an opinion. But • the mere fact of a man of Mr. Turner's recognized eminence stating this point of view merits a serious look at what he says.
What should not be read into Mr. Turner's remarks is a general , allegation of lack of research. He does not say this; he does not mean this. He simply says that he feels more research is nee,ded on this particular subject.
In fact, a considerable degree of research is carried out by the many _ manufacturers coneerned on myriad aspects of commercial vehicle design. A single example of this attention to pure and applied research was the announcement last January that one manufacturer, C.A.V., Ltd., had opened a Ellin. research centre—one current aspect of whose work is, indeed, combustion! Another example is to be seen on pages 356 to 358 of this issue. Here, at the Advanced School of Automobile Engineering (part of the finance_ for which is provided by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders), young designers receive an excellent finishing course. Others can make equally impressive claims.
The question posed by Mr. Turner really is this: "Is enough of the overall research effort of the commercial vehicle industry being currently devoted to the question of erasing visible smoke or vapour?" It is a good question to consider. Black smoke is obviously, from last Friday's debate on Mr. Speir's Diesel Fumes Bill, a subject to which Members of Parliament and the Government are paying increasing attention.