News of the Week
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HAULIERS' MUTUAL FEDERATION FORMED AT a meeting field in London on Tuesday last, the new association of professional road hauliers, to whjch we have made frequent reference in recent weeks, took definite form.The memorandum and articles of association were, agreed and signed and registration is now being effected. Some 36 operators, representing the principal traffic centres in the Kingdom, were present, and Mr. Eric R. Taylor was in the chair. He outlined the circumstanqs which had led to the formation of this new association, He stressed, in particular, the difficult situation which was arising in consequence of the development and, presumably, int,pending application Of the new Government Scheme for the control of long-distance haulage. The implementing of that scheme, he said, would have a serious effect in diminishing the amount of work which long-distance operators could do ; it was bound also to react upon the remaining 60 per cent. of operators in the. industry to-day who, at present, are not included • in the scheme. Events, he said, 1,14ere moving fast, and they were moving in a direction which would prove to be disadvantageous to. the industrY. The industry was uuable to take any effective steps to protect itself because it lacked an organization which could he said to be truly representative.
Mr. H. Scott Hall emphasized that„ the primary and fundamental object was the formation of a representative body which was able, without fear of contradiction, to state that it stands for the ioad haulage industry of .this' country. It must enrol in large numbers i he rank and file of the members of the industry. He then outlined the history of the association up to date.
He referred to the vital impottance of representative membership. The Federation at this present stage, he said, could promise nothing, but if, as vvas hoped, that membershipreached the figure of 20,000, which was expected six months, and 40,000 in a year, he' could see no practical limit to the work which the Federation could co for its members.
PETROL PRICE ALLOWANCE FOR CHARTERED VEHICLES
FOLLOWUCG negotiations between the Road Haulage (Operations) Advisory Committee and the M. of W.T., it has been decided to make an allowance to operators of vehicles chartered in the Road Haulage Scheme, to meet the increases of Id. per gallon for petrol and lid, for oil fuel which have been made since the Scheme started. 'Allowances will be in respect of both past and future claims.
S.J.C. TO SPEAK FOR THE INDUSTRY • AT a meeting of the Standing Joint Committee. held last week, the road-transport interests, present reaffirmed their agreement that the industryaShould speak with ane voice ,through the-meditim of the S.J.C., and, in particular, agreed unanimously that all representations in respect cif the scheme for the Government control of long-distance transport should be centralized through . the Committee.
Further progress has been made with plans for the reorganization of the industry, under which the seven existing national organizations will he replaced by a Federation comprising three independent organizations for hauliers, ancillary users and passengervehicle operators, respectively. The third meeting of the Road Transport Organization Jqint Conference had, at its morning section, the deputy chairman, Major R. A. B. Smith, M.C., inthe chair. In the afternoon; the chairman was Lord Perry, K.B.E. Mr. G. W. Quick Smith, who has been acting secretary,. was appointed secretary of the Conference.
That speed in making arrangements is necessary is fully recognized by the members, and it is considered , that „when the proposals have been implemented, operators will have available an efficient and influential trade organization functioning exclusively in their interests, and which will meet all their needs.
300 OPERATORS PLEDGE SUPPORT TO A.R.O. AND C.M.U.A.
THE following resolution was passed unanimously by 300 operators at the joint A.R.O.' and C.M.U.A. meeting at Birmingham, to which reference is made on the next page :—" That this representative meeting of hauliers in the West Midland area, members of. A.R.O. and C.M.U.A„ having heard a full explanation of the present situation touching Government 'control and unity in the industry from Messrs. Sewill and Fowler, endorses the action of the leaders of the two Associations,, and pledges its loyalty and suppbrt to them and to the two Associations generally through the, difficult times ahead and, in particular, in view of its experience of joint working, reiterates its determination to do all in.its power to secure complete unity within the industry, which it believes will be attained by the proposals now before the National Conference of Associations." ,
POLICE BID TO STOP THEFTS FROM ROAD YEHICLES
IC1 OLLOWING representations by the
haulage industry, Scotland Yard and provincial police authorities have taken new steps to combat thefts of goods in transit by road. Police conferences have included one recently held in Leeds. Details of the variety of methods being put into operation to circumvent the thieves are 'not, of course, being disclosed.
Some smart captures are reported, but a piominent member of the industry told .,our Yorkshire correspOndent that police measures had still to achieve their main aim—to round up the arch-criminals who employ lesser thieves to plunder road transport.
One or two 'Yorkshire operators reported some diminution in roadtransport thefts, so far as their own experience went. An executive of a Bradford haulage operator said that last year the losses from his firm's lorries had not been so heavy as in 1941, when they amounted to four • figures. But thefts of goods in transit, particularly cloth and foodstuffs, are still causing concern ia Yorkshire
The. prevalence of thefts has corn, pelled haulage operators to limittheir risks, and the senders of the goods are being forced to protect themselves by insuring against this type of loss.
VULCAN COMPANY HOLDS . . SALES CONFERENCE
THE. northern sales office of„Vulran Motors, Ltd., is at Huddersfield, where a sales conference was held recently. This was a most informal, homely affair, following a luncheon, during which the company. pursued its policy of encouraging its distribu
tors to offer constructional criticism for their mutual benefit, BRITISH ELECTRICAL FEDERATION NOE CHANGED
WE have been notified that the British Electrical Federation, Ltd , has changed its name to the B.E.T. Federation, Ltd., the offices remaining at 88, Kinesway, London, W.C.2.
This Federation is the central organization which provides services to the road passenger transport, electricity • supply and other companieg associated with the British Electric Traction Co„ Ltd. It was formed in 1907, when the B.E.T. Corapany!s main interests were in tramway and electricity-supply undertakings. \Vita the gradual replacement of trams by buses, the main business to-day lies in the provincial bus industry, although it still retains a substantiaJ interest electricity supply—hence the alteration.
It is not generally realized that, apart from its public utility and oilier interests, the B.E.T. group comprises the largest organization of road passenger transport undertakings in this country, representing 9,000 vehicles, with a staff of 35,000, and an issued
capital exceeding l8,000,000. The President of the Federation, Mr. R. J. Hawley, C.B.E., is chairman of the B.E.T. Company, whilst, Mr. Sidney Garcke, C.B.E., a director of that company, is chairman of the executive committee. FLOUR MILLERS ASK HAULIERS FOR INDEMNITIES
A CTION of certain flour millers. in retcalling for an indemnity froln hauliers against claims for damages arisineb from acciden:ts has engaged the further attention of the Road Transpbrt' Section of Liverpool Chamber of Commerce. Details have been notified to the national transport associations.
It' is felt that the actiod already taken by the Section appears to be having beneficial, results. Members have been recommended not to sign any indemnity document before referring it to the Section for consideration.
The Section has been invited by the Associated Chambers of Commerce to state views and proposals likely to assist a special sub-committee of motor manufacturers and operators appointed to review the law relating to road transport, with a view to undertaking. at an appropriate time, any necessary legislative steps to bring the law into line with modern needs and developments.
The Section regarded the inquiry as
one that must be directed mainly to the . after-war problems' of transport,con-. cerning which it was difficult to express fixed view, because of the uncertainty of visualizing what reorganization would be required to meet greatly altered relationships among the various systems of transport. Furthermore, local circumstances would have to be taken into closer account.
The Liverpool Section appointed a small sub-committee to keep ie advised on' questions related to .motor law and on post-war problems affecting trensport., NEW ADDRESS OF ALTERNATIVE FUEL DIRECTORATE AS from January 13, the address of the Directorate of, Alternative Motor Fuels-of the M. of W,T. is Mayfair Court, Stratton Street, London, W.1, and the telephone number is Mayfair 8484. Sir Alfred Faulkner, Director, is assisted by the following principal officers of the Directorate, Messrs. J. N. Willis, II, D. Greenwood, G. E. Monson and R. E. Hagley.
CHAMBER OF HAULAGE FORMED .'iN YORKSHIRE
FOLLOWTNG the dissolution of the Leeds Area Committee of the now defunct National Hauliers' Traffic, Pool, a Chamber of Haulage for Yorkshire has been formed. What was the membeiship of that committee now comprises the foundations of the new body.
The Chamber is to meet regularly in Leeds, as did the old Pool committee. The plae is not to cut across the work of road-transport operators' associations, but to supplement that work. It is hoped to keep in touch with the associations and with any non-association Movements a mong haulage -operators in the county.
Apart from attention to internal problems of the industry, the intention is to exercise vigilanceon matters of general public importance, or of particular interest to Chambers of Commerce or Chambers of Trade, which have to do with goods transport.
EXHIBITION OF MIDLANDS WORKS APPEALS.
COMMENCING on February 1, there will' be an exhibition of internal works appeals that have been used to stimulate the war effort of Midland factories. The venue will be the New Street Gallery of the Royal Birmingham . Society of Artists.
The object is to pool the experience gained in personnel relations on the . Midlands industrial front, and the show will be open by invitation, to works executives and works committees. Further details can be obtained , from the honorary secretary, Mr. J.. F. BrimIey, Safety and Welfare Superintendent, the Austin Motor Co., Ltd., Longbridge Works, Birmingham AMERICA TOLD OF BRITAIN'S WAR TRANSPORT PROBLEMS
A TALK on how Britain is meeting rt her war-time transport problems was broadcast, last, week, in.the North IN American Service by Mr. W. Vane Morland, general manager and chief engineer of Leeds _Passenger Transport Department. He paid a tribute -to our auxiliary 'conductors and said that in Leeds and -other places they had proved a great help, doing that little . bit extra which meant quite, a lot in facilitating war-time operatia of
• passenger vehicles in busy centres.
Mr, Morland cited the inter-town mutual-aid scheme -for civil defence transport services as a striking example of the help-one-another .spirit in this country. Referring to the blackout, he remarked that whilst this had prayed a decided nuisance to transport operators, the scheme of restricted vehicle lighting evolved from experiments, had enabled, them to.get on with the job of moving the crowds.
• BIRFIELD INDUSTRIES EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENTS
APPOINTMENTS and promotions of executives of its subsidiary companies are announced by Birfield Industries, Ltd, the holding company owning all the shares of Hardy Spicer and Co., -Ltd., Laycock Engineering Co., Ltd., Phosphor Bronze Co., Ltd., Forgings and Presswork (Birmingham), Ltd., 'Salisbury Transmission Co., Ltd-
Mr. W. E. Sparrow, who, for a number of years, has been works director of Hardy Spicer and Co., Ltd., relinquishes that position upon his appointment as managing director of Forgings and Presswork (BirmingL ham), Ltd., but retains his seat on the Board of the former.
Mr. K. .B. Tatlow, for many years sal-as manages of Hardy Spicer and Co., Ltd., is awarded a seat. upon the Board of that company, as sales director. Mr. A. W. Macferson, works superintendent of the same company, now becomes works manager.
The parent company also announces the formation of a new company— Bound Brook Bearings (G.B.), Ltd. This company will handle the bearings and powdered metals section of Hardy $picer and Co., Ltd. These products were previously marketed by the British Bound Brook. Bearing Co. which Was entirely owned, by the Hardy Spicer concern. Mr. B. P. R. Parsons, until recently joint managing director of the Manganese Bronze and Brass Co., Ltd., has been appointed managing director of the new company which will handle not only the wellknown 'Comp° oil-retaining porousbronze bearings and Bound Brook oilless graphited bearings, but also plans to market a range of anti-friction bearings, needle bearings • and powdered-iron products.
For the proper co-ordination of. development and progress a technical advisory comthittni has been formed, the services of which are at the disposal of all subsidiary companies.
HIGHER PRIORITY SOUGHT FOR CONDUCTRESSES
BECAUSE of the acute shortage of women to work as conductresses, Leeds Passenger Transport Committee has authorized the department's general manager, Mr. W. Vane Morland, to ask the Ministry of Labour and National Service to give them a higher place in the priority list. Although transport is classed as vital war work, the dernands of war factories have first to be met before young women are allowed to take work as conductresses.
ASSOCIATION MEETING IN MANCHESTER January 26, at 2.30 p.m., a meeting of* Associated Road Operators and Amalgamated Horse and Motor Owners Association will be held in the Grosvenor Hotel, Deansgate, Manchester. Mr. R. W. Sewill, National Director, A.R.O., will be there to discuss the Ministry's new scheme of grouping of operators and future prospects of the industry.
dOOD TYRE-RETREADING RESPONSE IN NORTH-EAST
SSTATING that, during recent the north-eastern region has averaged between 35 to 39 per cent. sound tyres returned for retreading, which is higher than the proportion in any other part of the country, the Regional Transport Commissioner, Major F. S. Eastwood, said this was largely due to the helpful publicity which the Press had given to the tyre
control scheme and to the need for the conservation of tyres.
At the same time the Commissioner said that the north-east percentage still left much room for improvement. There was insufficient appreciation among tyre users of the necessity for applying for replacements before they were immediately required, as a safeguard against supply delays resulting in over-running of the covers to be replaced.
Calling for a gr'eater realization of the importance of care in the use of tyres, Major Eastwood said that the extensive use of retreads would effect considerable economies, and operators could use' them satisfactorily if they adjusted their loads and reduced speeds sufficiently. S? PER CENT. OF LIVERPOOL'S MILK IS ROAD-BORNE
ACCORDING to the annual report of the Liverpool Medical Officer of Health, about 85-per cent, of the milk consumed in the city is road-borne. The approximate figures are :—Roadborne, 47,900 gallons per day; railborne, 1,000 gallons; produced locally, 7,400 gallons.
HEAVY FINE FOR BUS-TICKET THEFT
FOR stealing 50 bus tickets, the property of the West Yorkshire Road Car Co., Ltd., while working as a conductor for the company, a man was fined £15, or two months' imprisonment, at Bradford City Police Court, last week. Making reference to defendant's statement that he had not been satisfied with some of the conditions associated with his job as a conductor, the stipendiary magistrate, Dr. F. J. 0. Coddington, said that no grievance could justify stealing.
ROAD SAFETY EXHIBITION IN GLASGOW
(IN January 8 a Road Safety Exhibi
tion was opened in the Art Galleries, Glasgow, by Mr. Thomas Johnston, M.P., Secretary of State for Scotland. Organized. by Glasgow Corporation and the Scottish Accident PreiTntion Council, it will continue until January 25. Many working models depicting street accidents and how they can be avoided are included in the exhibits, which are supplemented by regular film shows.