And So To Work !
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Now the Show is Concluding it is important to Consider the Future of the Industry.
THE truly impressive exhibition of commercial chassis, complete vehicles, tractors and municipal appliances, together with the components and accessories specially designed for them,, which closes to-morrow, has indicated in no feeble manner how the industry can rise to the occasion. The Show has already done a great deal of good, and that its influence will be felt for a long time to come is certain.
Vast numbers of visitors are not expected, but we cannot remember any other road-transport exposition at which so much interest has been displayed in the individual exhibits. Every technical man on any stand which had something new to be seen was almost inundated by inquiries, many from drivers and medial-lies, who, in the commer. cial-vehikle field, appear to take particular interest in the machines which they may be called upon to drive or maintain ; and judging by some of the questions and criticisms from them, which we overheard, their views are of real value, which is not remarkable considering the experience of the various makes which they gain.
Much is being done to-day to render the lot of the driver a happier and more comfortable one. The controls are, in the main, better situated, seat and steering-wheel positions are often adjustable to suit the individual, the handling is lighter, braking on the heaviermodels powerassisted, whilst even the new forms o f transmission, accepted or in their early stage, are mainly devised to facilitate driving.
Now, the industry—both on the manufacturing and operating sides—must really put its. shoulder to the wheel and prevent all this clever design and big expenditure from being rendered vain by oppressive measures, including overwhelming taxation and excessive restriction of use. To do so, however, it must get together to a far greater degree than at present. Even the Election has shown how essential this matter has become. Instead of the various interests combining to prepare a joint statement or series of questions for submission to the candidates, what do we find? At least three distinct efforts in this direction, perhaps not differing greatly in the requirements7 stated, but sufficiently to confuse the candidates and make them feel that they are puppets pulled by various strings, thereby considerably reducing the value of the work done by the associations.
At no time was there a better opportunity for unity, and it has been lost. Such a favourable chance for presenting the case of road transport as a whole will probably not recur for some years.