News and Comment.
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This journal is exclusively read by the principals of many wealthy commercial houses, by the heads of important Government and Colonial Departments, and by numerous officers of Local Authorities. It has a certified and genuine circulation.
Lacre Repeats.
The fleet of Lacre vehicles, already numbering 26, inthe service of Harrod's Stores, will shortly be increased to 29, three more Lacre vehicles having been ordered.
R.A.C.
Mr. Roger W. Wallace, E.G.. the first chairman of the Automobile Club (now the R.A.C.), who did an immensity of service for that body between the years 1897 and 1904. has. we are glad to observe, been elected a vice-president of the Club.
Nothing per Gallon ?
We have good reason for the belief that Mr. Lloyd-George will withdraw the petrol tax on all spirit for use in commercial motors, and that the threatened duty of 10. net per gallon will not pass info tau . Alternatively. we may see an annual tax of :is. per tan of registered axle-weight.
Only £50,000 Net a Year.
The leaders of the commercial motor movement have been very active in pressing their case upon the Chancellor, and the case is certainly a good one. We estimate that a maximum of 9,300,000 gallons of motor spirit is used in the United Kingdom by commercial motors : this, at 1,1,-a. per gallon. would produce only £58.12:i gross. and the cost of collection would certainly bring the net yield down to R.50,000 per annum. Is this of any account in the National Exchequer We are confident that no ease can be made out for its being levied, especially when one recollects that about two-thirds of it would fall upon a solitary undertakingthe London General Omnibus Company. A Strongly-Worded Resolution.
The Executive Committee of the C.M.U.A. met last week and resolved: "That this Committee views with consternation the proposed tax of 10. per gallon upon petrol for use in commercial motor vehicles, which is equal to an increase of 25 per cent. on the fuel bill, and is of opinion that this contemplated handicap upon this country's in ternal transport and comMnnication compares very unfavourably with the practice in Germany, Switzerland. Italy and other Continental countries whose Governments encourage by substantial subsidies motorbus and other motor services.
" The Committee is also of opinion that the proposal to tax one class of transport for the benefit of all other users of the highway is inequitable and contrary to accepted principles of taxation." We cordially aree.
Has Duty Been Paid?
Apropos the effect on existing contracts, buyers under such contracts will be interested in Mr. LloydGeorge's reply to Sir William Bull on Monday night last. The Chancellor said : " Petrol now being supplied, whether for industrial purposes, or for use in commercial muter vehicles, including motorbuses and taxicabs, is from stocks on which no duty has been paid. It is clear that any extra charge at the present time is merely a device for obtaining a profit out of duty, and certainly, if petrol were supplied at a price under a contract, an addition to. the price by reference to the new duty could only be made in respect of petrol upon which the duty had been paid."
The View of "The Times."
The importance to the motor industry of effective protest against the proposed taxes upon petrol is echoed by the fact that the first place in a series of special articles on " The Budget and trade," which began in the financial and commercial supplement of "The Times " on the 7th instant, is given to this matter. This first article concludes as follows : " Commercial users will doubtless fight very hard. It is difficult now to make omnibuses and vans pay ; it will be much more difficult under the new imposts. The rebate proposed will not he regarded as sufficient, and it certainly seems hard that a new industry and a new method of locomotion should be practically taxed out of existence. It is to be hoped that further modifications will be granted by the Exchequer."
For Country Houses.
The " Comnier Car " Norfolk car for country houses is a serviceable vehicle. We have on several occasions commented upon its sound construction and great utility, and representatives of this journal have also tested its capacity for work under severe conditions of cross-country service. It is an admirable vehicle for the man with a big place in the country, for use at a " shoot," for estate work, or for the conveyance of parties with luggage, guns, or other impedimenta and equipment. From 10 to 14 persons can be carried, and the bodies can be so arranged that the owner has at his disposal a closed bus, an open wagonette, a shooting-brake, or a flat-platform lorry. We recently saw one of these vehicles in attendance at a cricket match, to which it had brought over a party of ladies and gentlemen from a house-30 miles distant—from which it was otherwise impossible to gain access to the ground, except by a tedious journey by road and rail.
A Horseless Sunday.
There is much to be said, from the educational standpoint, for the proposal with which we deal on pages 187 and 188 of this issue. Few if any of us realise the comparative quietude of traffic when the impinging horseshoe is missing. We trust it may be found practicable to undertake the experiment, though it were necessarily limited to one square mile of area.
Selfridge's Halley Vans.
One of the fleet of Halley vans in the service of Selfridge's, Ltd., the latest addition to London's great emporiums, is illustrated herewith. We gave an advance view of a sister machine, in our issue of the 25th March, but their quiet though attractive design, coupled with the good report which we hear of the work they do, is sufficient justification for the accompanying view, which is from a photograph taken during actual use.
Union at Manchester.
Readers of this journal will be well aware that we have repeatedly urged an amalgamation of trade interests between the Manchester and District Motor Trades Association and the local section of the Society oi Motor Manufacturers and Traders. It is, therefore, particularly gratifying to us to be able to report that steps to that end are well advanced. As the result of a conference between the parties, which took place in Manchester on the night of the 5th instant, a basis of arrangement was signed by representatives of each side, and provisional approval was given to the terms for the formation of a new company upon which both will be equitably represented. Mr. Ellis Green is to be the secretary of the new company, whose first directors are to be Messrs. H. Hollingdrake, A. E. Crowdy, S. Nor ris, J. Newton, F. Bullock, J. G. Looker, and T. Webb. It now only remains for the sanction of the S.M.M.T. to be given, and that, in view of the recommendation from the local branch, can hardly be withheld, Fire-Engine Tenders.
The fire department of the Glasgow Corporation, per its chief officer, Mr.. William Waddell, whose office is at 33, Ingram Street, wishes to receive tenders for the supply of two petrol' motor (combined pump and first aid) machines, on or before the 24th instant.
The Fire Station Committee of the Penge U.D.C. is inviting tenders for' the supply of a motor fire-engine, and a specification has been prepared in the matter.
Lever's Motorvans.
Lever's fleet of 1011.p. Star' vans, one of which is illustrated herewith, continues to do good work in pushing the sale of Sunlight soap and other products of the famous Mersey-side. factory. These vehicles are used for advertising purposes, and get over the ground with amazing expedition, satisfactory economy, and freedom from. breakdown. It ought not to be long. before other go-ahead manufacturers utilise motorva.ns for the distribution of samples, general advertisement propaganda, and other services of the kind, in which event those produced' by the Star Company should receive every consideration.
S.M.M.T.
The S.M.M.T. hopes to be allowed to send a deputation to the Chancellor of the Exchequer in regard to the Budget taxes upon motor vehicles and petrol. The Commercial Vehicle Committee of this body has been strengthened by the. addition of Mr. A. W, Burt (J. and E. Hall, Ltd.), Messrs. J. Nuttall, F. W. Robson, and Archibald Campbell.
Home-made Petrol.
An amusing discussion took place, on the 8th instant, at a meeting of the Metropolitan Asylums Board, in regard to tenders for the supply of petrol. It was on the agenda to accept a certain tender, to an estimated total value of about £960, for supplies until the 26th March, 1910, but a member moved that the report be sent back to the Contract Committee, on the ground that there were plenty of English firms of distillers which could supply home-made spirit. This course was adopted by 21 votes to it
" Commer Car " Orders.
We learn, at the moment of going to press, that Commercial Cars, Ltd., of Luton, has received repeat orders as follow : for a two-ton van, from the Gas Light and Coke Co., Ltd., of Horseferry Road ; for a 3--ton wagon, from Messrs. Hammerton and Co., Brewers, of Stockwell ; for a 30-cwt. van, from Pickfortrs. Ltd., for use on that company's Brighton depot; for a convertible country-house car, from Lieutenant-Colonel Adamson, of Glenfarne Hall, Glenfarne. Ireland ; and for a 25-seated char-a-bam7s, from the Mexborough Motor Omnibus Co., Ltd. New orders have been received from the following : for a three-ton lorry, for use in Uganda, from Messrs. Hansing and Co., of Hamburg ; for a five-ton wagon, from Crosse and Blackwell, Ltd.; for a 30-cwt. wagon, from Alr. I. P. White, of Manchester ; and for an hotel omnibus, from Mr. J. P. Smith, of the Isle of Man. Agricultural Organisation.
The Agricultural Organisation Society has recently assisted over the formation of a co-operative society for the Truro district, in conjunction with the Cornwall County Farmers' Union. Lady Falmouth is taking a great personal interest in the matter, and it is not unlikely that one or more motor vehicles will be requisitioned to develop areas where railways do not penetrate. Mr. W. M. Tod represented the London Society, whose address is Dacre House, Daere Street, S.W.
Thornycrolt's Report.
The eighth annual report of John I. Thornycroft and Co., Ltd., for the year ended the 31st December last, shows a trading profit of £30,390, from which there have to be deducted: depreciation on buildings, plant, machinery, patterns, drawings, etc., £13,376; written off investments, £2,104; directors' fees 1:800; debenture interest, 52,13.500. After bringing in 1;1,073 from 1907, a balance of £1,683 is carried forward to the revenue account of next year. The report states that the arrangements for closing the Chiswick works—as regards manufacturing— are well advanced, and that the plant and machinery will be concentrated at Basingstoke and Southampton. No specific reference is made to motor vehicles. The total paid-up capital of the company is now £606,500.
We should say that the turning point in this company's career has at last been reached, and that there are points of good omen for the preference and ordinary shareholders. We have reason to believe, for example, that an important contract was signed a few months ago, under which a steady output of engines at the Basingstoke works is assured, whilst the present naval situation should bring orders. We are requested to point out that a considerable portion of the Chiswick works will be kept open, in a thoroughly-equipped state. as a repair depot for motor vehicles, and as a garage, and also for the purpose of serving as a London depot for demonstration purposes.
Canadian Trade Representation.
Mr. W. A. MacKinnon, lately acting Trade Commissioner for Canada at Bristol, advises us that lie has been transferred to the Trade Commissionership for the Midlands and Wales, and that his new official address is Central house, New Street, Birmingham. His duties at Bristol, as Trade Commissioner for that city and the West of England, will be undertaken by Mr. E. D. Arnaud (late of St. John's, Newfoundland), whose address is Sun Buildings, Bristol.
Argyll Expedition.
The newly--headed Argyll concern is nothing if not ready to meet its customers' every need: the organisation for the rapid supply of spare parts, so that no wasted time shall cccur, is one of the best features. In this connection, the latest aid is the coupling of the London show-rooms at Great Marlborough Street, W., and the repair works at Guilford Street, W.C., by a private telephone wire. Similar conveniences exist between the Bridgeton (Glasgow) repair works and the factory at Alexandria.
Belhaven Motors.
Congratulations to the Belhaven Engineering and Motors, Ltd., cf Wishaw. N.B., upon the rapidity with which its 20h.p. chassis has gained orders for the company. We reproduce a photograph of one sold to Cox Bros., Ltd., of Dundee, and we are advised that a well-known London firm, whose name is not to be disclosed yet, has ordered four. Other recent orders are: a two-tonner for Messrs. Archibald and Co., Confectioners, of Wishaw; and a 30ewt. chassis for the Aster Engineering Co., of Wembley. The total orders to hand for Belhaven vehicles, during the last four weeks, reach no less a figure than 34. There is. clearly, trade to be done—and in hand.
Simms Magnetos.
Further evidence of the satisfactory orking of the British-made Simms' magnetos is accumulating month by month, and the latest testimonial to the excellence of Mr. Simms' product is from Sir W. G. Armstrong-Whitworth and Co., Ltd., of Elswick Works, Newcastle-on-Tyne, whose Ordnance Department, after trial of a magneto on an 18-22h,p. car, for a mileage of close upon 30,000, has communicated to the Simms Magneto Co., Ltd., of Welbeek Works, Kilburn. NW., its complete appreciation of the manufacture in question. We would strongly recommend all manufacturers and intending constructors of commercial motors to put themselves in communication with Mr. Frederick R. Simms at the address named, in order that his latest prices may be forwarded.