NEWS of the WEEK
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VALIDITY OF PETROL COUPONS
COUPONS in the basic ration books are valid only for the period printed on them (to January 31). Incidentally, it is a contravention of the Motor Fuel Rationing Order to supply or obtain petrol against coupons before they become valid.
X units for goods vehicles and Y units for public-service vehicles, issued, by the Ministry of Transport, are valid for one month from date of issue.
Coupons issued for agricultural purposes (F units) bearing a date prior to February 29 will cease to be valid after that date.
As regards hackney vehicles other than public-service vehicles, for which T units are employed, the coupons in lite ration books issued by the Metropolitan Hackney Carriage Department or local taxation offices are also valid only for the period printed on them.
Coupons to farmers under the new scheme of petrol distribution for agricultural purposes, which came into operation on January 1, will continue to be valid until February 29.
Standing Joint Committee on Haulage Unity
AT a meeting of the full Standing Joint Committee, held on January 10, the chairman reported that the executive committee had had under consideration the lack of unity in the road-transport industry. A conference of presidents had been called in November to discuss the direction of policy on a unified basis in so far as it affected A and B licence holders, and the presidents had been asked to submit to their respective haulage councils a minute on this question,
A20 As a result cf the replies, the Committee has passed a resolution to the effect that it will proceed forthwith with the task of directing the policy of the road-transport industry, as it affects A and B licence holders, on a unified basis, with a view to eliminating waste and seciring during the present war a maximum of efficiency in service to the Nation and the confidence of the Government.
We Shall await with interest news as to how this very desirable aim is to be achieved, Last Thursday the Minister of Transport received a deputation from the Committee respecting the position of licence holders at the termination of the war, Attention has also been drawn to the fact that the road-transport industry is not in such a favourable position as the railways in connection with the schedule of reserved occupations, and the Central Wages Board has been asked if the appropriate sub-committee can look imto this matter.
The oVes of the Standing Joint Committee are now at Kelvin House, 5-7, Lower Belgrave Street, London, S.W.1.
Dupuy Gas-producer Development ANEW company, Dupuy Gas Producers, Ltd., 2, Portland Road, Holland Park, London, W.11, has been formed to manufacture and market the Dupuy vehicle producer-gas plant, formerly handled by Gazogene, Ltd.
A number of agents has been appointed, notably for the Home Counties, North and South Wales areas, and deliveries can be given in three weeks from receipt of order.
DEATH OF MR. BASIL H. JOY
f T is with the greatest regret that we learnt of the death, last week. of Mr. Basil H. Joy, at the age of 68. He was one of the best-known andmost likeable personalities in the motor industry, having started as part-time secretary of the Institution of Automobile Engineers in 1910, when he was also contributing articles to the technical Press. Later, he became full-time secretary, from 'which position he retired, through ill-health, in 1934. Mr. Joy was the son of David Joy, the inventor of the joy valve gear.
PETROL RETAILERS DEMANDS IRGING the need for further measures to improve, the position of petrol retailers, a resolution was adopted last week by the Bradford Section of the Motor Agents' Association, for consideration by the M.A.A.'s Yorkshire Divisional Committee. Contending that the recent increase of id. per gallon in the retailer's gross profit does not meet the case, the 'resolution suggested that the retail profit margin should not be a fixed sum, but should he on a percentage basis of not less than 20 per cent.
The resolution also insisted that the ret'ailer's allowance for evaporation, etc., under the rationing scheme should be increased from '1 per cent, to 3 per cent., and advocated steps to safeguard the retailer more adequately against short measure in the delivery of petrol supplies to him. It maintained that no special terms should be granted to commercial users consuming less than 1,000 gallons per month, and that the petrol retailer should be put on terms as favourable as those granted to the largest commercial user.
Federation's New Address
THE headquarters of the National Road Transport Employers Federation are now at Kelvin House, 5-7, Lower Belgrave Street, London, SW.'.
War Does Not Stop Expansion
WAR does not seem to have stifled municipal enterprise. Blackpool Corporation is seeking to borrow £10,124 for the second section of the extension of the Rigby Road bus garage, and Manchester Cleansing Committee is to spend £15,000 on enlarging the Water Street garage.
Duke of Kent Visits Oil Works
T"DUKE OF KENT toured the Scottish shale oilfields in Midlothian and West Lothian, last week, and watched the processes of producing motor spirit, solvent naphthas, oil fuel, etc. He descended a shale pit and watched the miners at work.
His Royal Highness was accompanied by Mr. Robert Crichton, J.P., director and general manager . of Scottish Oils, Ltd.
Tilling and B.A.T. Dividends
AT a meeting of the Board of Tilling and British 'Automobile Traction, •Ltd., it was decided to recommend the payment of a dividend of 4 per cent. (less tax) for the half year ended December 31, 1939, on the participating• preference shares, and a further dividend of 2. per cent. (less tax) on the cumulative 8 per cent, participating preference shares, making 10 per cent, for the year. The final dividend on tbie ordinary shares is 4 per cent, (tax free), making 8 per cent. for the year.
The net profit for the year ended December 31, 1939, after providing for excess profits tax, amounted to £488,441, contrasted with £511,587 in the previous year.
WHEELS ACROSS THE SEA MEW YORK is making a generous N gesture to Manchester, as a symbol of commercial goodwill. En route from the United States is an ambulance, the specification of which includes an eight. cylindered engine, all-steel Dody. ilasu..1ated a'„gainst heat, -cold and noise, allsteel first-aid., cabinet, with, special thermos bottles, a water-heater with. defrosting ttachnient, and-art air
conditioning unit.
An interesting ,story ,lies behind the gift. J. and N. Philips and Co.,Ittd„ Church Street, Manchester, which, incidentally; has for years operated a big fleet, of commercial vehicles as well as travellers' cars, is one of the leading export concerns in the city. Some business men in New York, -discussing over a meal their long and pleasant associations with the Lanes company, decided to give tangible evidence Of their satisfaction. The Philips concern's "agents got in touch with Manchester, and the result is the gift of an ambulance to the Royal -Infirmary of that city.
Hitherto, the R.I. has not had an ambulance of its Own, but used those of the British Red Cross Society, Clifford Motor Components Dividend The directors of Clifford Motor Components, Ltd., have declared an interim dividend of 7i per cent. (less tax) on account of the year ended May 31, 1940.
Tram Rails to Feed Furnaces
THE Iron and Steel Control is undertaking a survey of all derelict tramway systems in this country, with a view to the pulling up of abandoned, tramway lines to help feed British steel-melting furnaces.
New Book on a Popular 5-tonner
D ELATING .to the company's 5-ton Ilechassis, a new instruction manual has just been brought out by Dennis Bros., Ltd., Guildford. CoPies are now available, price 4s. It maintains in every respect, the high. standard of former Dennis publications of a similar nature, containing clear illustrations pointered in a second colour, information on the functioning of all components, and instructions on dismantling, reassembly and" adjustment. It isbound on the loose-leaf principle, so that amendments can be made if and when the need should arise, '
Too Expensive for Colne Valley
COLNE VALLEY (Yorkshire) Urban District Council decided, last week, to rescind the council's November resolution to purchase a fire-engine at a price of £2,384 (equal to a 21d. rate).
Mr. F. H. Russell, who moved the rescision, suggested that it was possible to buy an engine adequate for the council's requirements at a cost of about £1,500. The fire-engine at Holmfirth (a neighbouring district) cost £1,527, exclusive of hose. .
All the tenders for the supply of a fire-engine are to be reconsidered by the general purposes committee.