States Warned on Nationalization
Page 46
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cUNDS should not be diverted to the nationalization of road transport. in which substantial private investments might otherwise by made. This advice is given to State Governments by the Planning Commission of India. Restrictive licensing, say the Commission, undermines the confidence of private operators and deters them from
expanding their businesses. If they were given reasonable security, they would be prepared to put capital into their businesses.
There was the least justification for Governments to restrict private owners when nationalization schemes could not be contemplated because of lack of funds.
The Commission put forward the following principles: No nationalization schemes should be considered until 1961, at the end of the second five-year plan; free permits for periods of three years should be granted liberally for vehicles, with incentive five-year licences for viable units.
State Governments wishing to nationalize passenger services should prepare programmes covering specified areas. Operators outside those areas should be allowed free permits with a tenure of at least three years.
COACHES INSTEAD OF BUSES DERM ISSION to operate one coach at week-ends for Bristol City and Bristol Rovers football matches was last week granted to Messrs. Keer's Garage, Clifton, Bristol, by the Western Licensing Authority.
Announcing his deferred decision, the Authority, Mr. S. W. Nelson, said that through transport difficulties, football enthusiasts had had to hitch-hike or wait as long as 90 minutes for a bus to reach matches. Some had ceased to attend.
If they were willing to pay Is. 6d. to travel by coach, they should have that advantage. It was the poor man's taxi, which they would not take if there were an equally convenient bus service. Commenting on an objection by Bristol Tramways and Carriage Co., Ltd., Mr. Nelson said: "We shall look to Bristol Tramways to provide a special B12 service. If they do not, we shall be prepared to consider increasing the number of coaches."
Last Saturday, Bristol Tramways ran a special service to the city's two football matches from one part of Clifton. Another part of the district will be served by a second service which the company are due to put into operation tomorrow.
WALL'S TO DOUBLE OILER FLEET WITHIN the next year, T. Wall and IN Sons. Ltd., will more than double the number of oil-engined ice-cream kiosks which operate in rural areas. The Trojan l-ton van with Perkins P3 engine is the type selected.
Their rate of fuel consumption, compared with that of petrol models, has proved highly satisfactory. At present, the Trojans are stationed in the London, Birmingham, Manchester' and south-eastern divisions. Others are expected to be allocated soon to the south-western and Scottish divisions.
The new vehicles have a centre gangway, so that the driver can serve from the rear. improved insulation in the cold-storage cabinets saves expensive carbon dioxide used as a refrigerating medium.
U.S. TO BUILD IN ARGENTINA
DICK-UPS, station wagons and cars
are to be manufactured in Argentina by Mr. Henry J. Kaiser, the American industrialist. He last week signed an agreement to produce 40,000 vehicles a year in Argentina. He has undertaken to build a factory within a year, to start production in the second year, and to reach full output within three years.
OIL PLANT ENLARGED
'T'HE Inverness installation of Scottish I Oils and Shell-Mex, Ltd., has been enlarged and modernized. Storage capacity has been increased and roadvehicle loading facilities improved. There are nine centrifugal pumps with delivery rates varying from 250-500 g.p.m. The bigger pumps can fill two large vehicles simultaneously. Vehicle washers have also been installed.
Shell-Mex and B.P., Ltd., and Scottish Oils and Shell-Mex, Ltd., are engaged in a nation-wide plan to streamline the joint system of distribution.