THE DISPOSAL OF GOVERNMENT SURPLUS
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THE Commercial Vehicle Committee of the S.M.M.T. has discussed the question of appropriate tyre equipment for surplus W.D. vehicles.
It was stated that in respect of the particular problemsassociated with such vehicles, it was necessary for manufacturers, when approached by the Ministry on the subject, to formulate a scheme for operation with the Ministry. At the same time, it was agreed that a suggested scheme based on the formation of a general disposals organization, to handle all surplus Government vehicles, could not be accepted.
S.M.M.T. FORMS TIPPING GEAR GROUP
AT the first meeting of the manufacturers of tipping gears who are members of the S.M.M.T., it was decided that a group should be consth tuted, and Mr. W. Preston, of the Spenborough Engineering Co., Ltd., was elected as chairman.
One of the items discussed was that of tipping bodies on long-wheelbase chassis, and it was agreed that the chairman should be co-opted to a Technical Committee to review and make recommendations upon the Construction and Use Regulations.
DRASTIC ACTION BY U.S. GOVERNMENT
THE President of the United States is determined not to permit any interference with the vital flow of munitions. Recently there has been a certain amount. of labour trouble in connection with goods-transport services operating in the Middle West, and, in order to cope with this, Mr. Roosevelt has ordered the United States Office of Defense Transportation to take over 103 haulage concerns.
It is not yet known for how long these transport " lines "—as they are termed in America—will be retained within this control. Itmay be for a considerable period, or, on the other hand, they may, as has happened in other industries, be handed back when the difficulties have been overcome.
AUSTIN GROSS PROFIT AGAIN ABOVE £2,000,000 MARK
A CCOUNTS of th Austin Motor Co., 1-1 Ltd., for the year ended July 31 last, show a gross trading profit of £2,164,530, compared with £2,342,792 a year earlier. After deducting £1,009,393 for maintenance, and £179,139 for depreciation, etc., the balance carried forward to the appropriation account is £975,721, the credit balance amounting to £1,354,685, after adding £378,964 brought in. Provision for income tax takes £500,000, reserve for deferred repairs £200,000, special depreciation of plant and equipment £100,000, debenture service £71,500. and preference dividends £56,750. A dividend of 20 per cent, is to be paid on the preferred ordinary stock (£75,000), and 10 per cent. on the ordinary and " A " ordinary stock (£32,368), leaving £319,067 to be carried forward.
UNITED DOMINIONS TRUST TURNS LOSS INTO PROFIT
FOR the year ended June 30 last the report of United Dominions Trust. Ltd., shows a profit of 420,398, as against a loss of 413,540 in the previous year, the amount available being 426,641, after adding 46,243 brought in. Provision for taxation amounts to 44,348, and a year's dividend on the £500,000 41 per cent, preference stock 411,250, the sum left to go forward beiug 49,049, after deducting directors' fees. The total assets show an expansion from 43,552,491 to 43,572,942.
S.J.C. COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS IN THE NORTH
AMEETING of the combined controlled and hired undertakings panel of the S.J.C. was held in Newcastle last week, and the following were appointed to the D.R.H.O. and
A R.H.O. committees:—D. R. H.O.
.t4mmittee: Mr. E, O. Daniels, M.Inst.T., care of Messrs. Currie and Co. (Newcastle), Ltd., Cambridge Hall, Northumberland Street, Newcastle. A.R.1-1.0. Committee: Newcastle, Mr. W, W. Tulip, 33, Sandhill, 'Newcastleon-Tyne; Sunderland, Mr. J. J. Blaney, care of J. Blaney, Ltd., Imperial Garage, Felling-on-Tyne; Darlington, Mr. J. Wilson, care of Beeline Safety Coaches, Foggy Furze, West Hartlepool, Co. Durham.
NEW QUAYSIDE CHARGES FOR HAULIERS' LABOUR
THE management committee of the Liverpool Cart and Motor Owners Association has recently given consideration to the growing practice of rarriers being required to unload and stow on the quay, by their own labour, :argoes carted to coastwise steamers. Formerly, more labour for unloading was available on the quay, or, alternatively, consignors lept assistance.
• Nowadays, in order to make the best use of the limited covered accommodation available, and in the absence of assistance, carriers are required to accept the responsibility not only of unloading, but of stowing cargoes, frequently to the extent known as " over-stowing." Apart from the fact that these services are not included in the rate for cartage, they result in delays to vehicles in instances where drivers have to assist one another. Alternatively, the carrier incurs additional expense by having to send extra labour to the quay to assist the drivers.
Having regard to all these considerations, the committee has decided to adopt a minimum charge of 6d. per ton net (Is. per ton on Sundays) for the services of unloading and stowing at coastwise quays performed by the carrier's own labour. In the case of timber and pieces and packages of
machinery, the charge will be fixed between the carrier and his client. The charge will, of course, not be levied when either the steams:lip. company or the consignor provides the labour for unloading and stowing. The charges came into force on Monday last, August 14.
M.O.W.T. HAS VISION!
OCAL authorities are being asked by the Ministry of War Transport to give consideration in planning schemes to the provision of facilities for the concentration of road services at a central site or depot.
BID TO REMOVE YORKSHIRE LEVEL CROSSING
THE. surveyor to North Riding County Council has prepared a plan for eliminating a level crossing at the north end of Northallerton by the construction of a new road. The scheme has still to be approved by the county council and the M.O.W.T. MANY ACCIDENTS IN JUNE INVOLVE SERVICES VEHICLES D OAD casualties in June numbered 497 killed and 10,991 injured. There were 135 fewer deaths than in May, but 117 more than in June, 1943, which was a relatively good month. Fatalities to pedestrians of 15 years of age and over totalled 10.6, an increase of 50 per cent, on the total for June last year.
Numbers ofroad deaths analysed according to the types of vehicle primarily involved were as follow:— Service (British, Dominion and Allied of the three Services), 227; Civil Defence and N.F.S., 3; public service and hackney, 55; goods, 89; private cars, 34; motorcycles, 17; bicycles, 65; others, 7. There is no implication that the driver of the vehicle primarily involved was culpable or responsible for the accident.
PLEA FOR WITHDRAWAL OF PRODUCER-GAS BUSES "1"HE Regional Transport Commis' sioner has informed Billingham-onTees Urban District Council that it is not possible to restore the pre-war frequency of the Darlington-West Hartlepool bus service, which passes through the town.. The council has asked the " United " company to withdraw the gas-producer buses on the route, and has been informed that this will be done when the company receives this year's allocation of petrol buses.
WORK OF ASSOCIATION OF TYRE SPECIALISTS
THE a.g.m. of the National Association of Tyre Specialists, 64, Wool Exchange, 25-29, Coleman Street, London, E.C.2, will be held at the Abercorn Rooms, Great Eastern Hotel, Liverpool Street, London, E.C.2, at 2.30 p.m., on Wednesday, August 23. The chairman, Mr. E. W. Orchard, will present his report on the year's work, and the meeting will be asked to consider the adoption of a proposed new constitution.
GLASGOW FACES BIG MUNICIPAL TRANSPORT LOSS
GLASGOW Corporation transport undertaking is being operated at a, loss. Instead of the usual experience of finishing the year with a surplus, the department reported last week that at the close of the year, May 31 last, there was a deficit of 4195,000. The estimates for the current year make it clear that if the existing trading arrangements be not improved, there will be a deficit of at least 4500,000 by the end of the next financial year.
This setback in the prosperity of what has hitherto been a notably successful municipal enterprise is attributable almost entirely to an increase in wages of the uniform staff, granted on recommendations by the Joint Industrial Council. To a lesser degree Cie situation has also been' affected by the increased cost of materials A grave view is taken of the position, and a special sub-committee has been appointed to submit .suggestions as to what should be done to restore the trading equilibrium