NEWS of the WEEK
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"The wheels of wealth will be slowed by all difficulties of transport, at whatever points arising. as a carriage is by the roughness of the roads over which it runs."—John Beattie Crozier.
ROAD RATES: INQUIRY BY TRANSPORT COUNCIL.
Yesterday (Thursday) a committee of 14. representing nearly 50 per cent. of the members of the Transport Advisory Council, held its first meeting to inquire into the service and rates offered by the road goods transport industry. The committee is to make a large.:scate investigation of co-ordination between road, Tail, canals, coastal shipping and ports in the movement of goods, and the aspects of service and rates are being considered first. Road transport will receive first attention.
An effort will be made to avoid " wasteful competition." It is unlikely that the inquiries will be completed in less than 18 months. Statements of evidence will be taken from interested parties and, in general, procedure is likely to follow the lines associated with Royal Commissions. Sir Arthur Griffith-Boscawen is chairman of the committee.
New I.A.E. Research Laboratories Opened.
On Wednesday, the new research laboratories of the Institution of Automobile Engineers were opened by Lord Rutherford, 0.M., F.R.S. Situated on the Great West Road, Brentford, they have a floor area of 15,500 sq. ft. and a further 3,600 sq. ft. is available.
The building is of modern design, and comprises two main blocks separated by a parking space. The block fronting on to -the roadway has been utilized for offices and a reference library, at the rear of which are the chemical and material-testing laboratories and the chassis and engine-testing shops.
B18 The second block comprises the workshop and stores, together with the general laboratory, which is used for any mechanical testing or research other than engine research.
The building and land have been acquired at a cost of £17,000. the necessary alterations and furnishings bringing the total cost to £20,000. The new laboratories should prove of the utmost value to the automobileengineering industry, and the researches in progress are under the direction of Mr. C. G. Williams, M.Sc.
Motor• Firms to Build Aeroplanes.
It was announced in the House of Commons on Tuesday, by Sir Philip Sassoon, Under-Secretary for Air, that the Austin Motor Co., Ltd., and Rootes, Ltd., will co-operate with the Government in the manufacture of aeroplanes, for which purpose two important factories will be established. These factories will be the property of the Government and staffed and equipped for large-scale production, if required.
Yorkshire Wages Confusion.
The position concerning wages and conditions in Yorkshire continued to be confusing, this week. A correspondent was informed that some operators had put into force the employers' new terms, but at the time of closing for press the " standstill " request sent out by the North-Eastern Division of the Commercial Motor Users Association was still operative.
It is understood that the policy of the Yorkshire area organization of Associated Road Operators is to continue firmly in support of the employers' new terms. IMPORTS AND EXPORTS BOTH SHOW RISES.
The Board of Trade returns for February, 1936, show that the value of imports of commercial vehicles, cars, chassis and accessories was £390,763, which shows a slight gain on the figure of £368,997 for February, 1935, but is much more than double the amount (£157,478) for February, 1934. .
During the month, the value of theexports of complete commercial vehicles was £67,954, compared with £47,065 for the corresponding month of 1935, the numbers of vehicles exported being 238 and 166 respectively.
So far as commercial chassis are concerned, a rise was also shown, this year's total of 1,129 contrasting with 884 for February, 1935, the values being £157,090 and 2132,006.
Leeds to Spend £652,650 on Transport.
Capital expenditure by Leeds Corporation of £652,650 on transport during 1935-36 to 1939-40, is provided for in a five-year programme of expenditure, which has been prepared at the request of the Government. The yearly totals are:-1935-36, £176,640; 1936-37, £267,200; 1937-38, £70,650; 1938-39, £50,240; 1939-40, £87,920.
New Company to Take Over Southern Roadways?
It is understand that a new company, to be known as Midland and South of England Roadways, Ltd., 192, Goldhawk Road, London, W.12, has been formed to acquire the business of Southern Roadways, Ltd„ which is now in the hands of a receiver and manager. Application has been made for A licences for 30 vehicles and 47 trailers.