Fina Petroleum Buy Out Universe
Page 42
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THE. entire shareholding of the I Universe Petroleum Co., Ltd., has been acquired by Fina Petroleum Products. Ltd. The Universe board now consists of Mr. F. Noble and Mr. C. E. Steed, both of Fina, and Mr. H. W. Smith, of Universe.
From April 1, the Universe organization will be merged with the Fina
south-east region. This will operate from 6 Broad Street Place, London, E.C.2, with Mr. Smith as manager and Mr. J. E. Cook deputy manager. The activities of the Universe concern were described in The Commercial Motor on September 7, 1951.
Watsons Petroleum Co., Ltd., Preston, which Fina acquired last year, will cease to trade under that name from April 1. they will become the northwest region of the Fina company. with Mr. E. F. Miller as manager.
RENEWED PRESSURE FOR HIGHER RATES
AFURTHER discussion between a joint committee of the British Agricultural Contractors' Association, National Association of Corn and Agricultural Merchants, Road Haulage Association and Road Haulage Executive and an executive official of the Ministry of Agriculture is expected to take place shortly on the _question of increased rates for lime haulage. The joint committee agreed last November to press for a 5-per cent. advance, but negotiations with the Ministry have been held up because of the recent indisposition of the official.
Another matter to be discussed will be the failure of the Ministry to restore lime subsidies at rates for 4-ton vehicles used in Devon, Cornwall and the Isle of Wight. The normal subsidy is based on 6-ton loads, but lorries of such capacity are too big for operation in those parts of the country. The 4-ton vehicle is, therefore, employed, and the Ministry used to allow a higher subsidy commensurate with the greater cost per ton occasioned by the employment of smaller lorries.
This higher subsidy was, however, withdrawn and only the normal 6-ton subsidy became effective. After pressure from the bodies mentioned, a special rate for 5-ton vehicles, was offered by the Ministry, but this is still not considered sufficient and the reintroduction of the 4-ton subsidy is demanded.
SMALLER TRANSPORT UNITS
SPEAKING at the annual dinner of Ipswich Sub-area of the Road Haulage Association, last week, Mr. R. B. Brittain, Eastern Area chairman. said he hoped that sub-areas all over the country would press for the breaking up of their local Road Haulage Executive Groups into the smallest units, so as to help large numbers of prospective purchasers wishing to buy one. two or three vehicles.
n8 The finance company which' the Association were setting up in conjunction with the United Dominions Trust, Ltd., represented an outstanding service to members.
LORRIES PARKED IN GARDENS
TOWN councils are being asked by the Association of Municipal Corporations to supply evidence of "cases of difficulty" which they may have experienced in respect of the parking of commercial vehicles for long periods in the gardens of residential property. The Association's town planning committee intend to discuss the problem with the Ministry of Housing and Local Government.
ROLES REVERSED
WHEN W. Alexander and Sons. Ltd., applied to the Scottish Deputy Licensing Authority, last week, to run services from Kinloss R.A.F. camp to seven destinations, Mr. It. C. B. Currie pointed out that this was not a case of a private Operator making application, with a nationalized body objecting. Alexanders were taking the initiative and a private operator was objecting. The Authority deferred his decision until he had heard evidence from a senior officer of the camp.
LACK OF RURAL SERVICES?
ARESOLUTION expressing concern over the lack of public transport in country areas, and containing a request that the matter be considered as one of national importance, was passed by the West Midlands Transport Users' Consultative Committee, last week.
FARES UP: MINERS STRIKE
TWO THOUSAND miners at Betteshanger, Kent. struck work last week because bus fares had been increased. The advance was suspended after miners' officials and the Licensing Authority were consulted. The old scales have been restored until April 6. They will then be revised for three
months, pending an inquiry. , The next meeting of the national council of the Road Haulage Association will be held in London on April 1.