The Bulk Conveyance of Petrol.
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It was announced by the Secretary, eight weeks ago, that the Editor of this journal had been nominated by the Petrol Committee for the purpose of submitting evidence before the Home Office Petroleum Committee in favour of legal authorization for the bulk conveyance of petrol by motor tank-wagons. To the many interests which would be affected by the 'legalization and regularizing of transport of that .class, it may be as well that we should recall the fact that 13 motoring and allied bodies are represented on • the Petrol Committee, and that the text of the statement of evidence to be given by Mr. Shrapnell-Smith was circulated as an appendix to the agenda. for consideration at the last meeting of that committee. That statement was duly considered by the Petroleum Committee of the Home Office, on Wednesday of last week, and numerous questions were answered.
We are not at liberty to go into any detail concerning this most-important, and likely development. but it. will be apparent to all concerned that changes which have occurred, during the past few years, in -connection with various new commercial uses of motor vehicles, are such as to render greater freedom and latitude in the land transport of this national requirement imperatively necessary. Canal, coastwise, rail and river transport do not provide the necessary alternatives to meet the exigencies of the times in which we live, and it is to be hoped that the facts and figures which were laid before the Committee, not only by the Editor, but also, more particularly, by the Secretary of the Mechanical Transport Committee of the War Office, will lead to the issue, after due consideration, of atank specification and a schedule of bylaws to regulate the traffic which we have in mind.
Horses are still employed, very widely, by the oilimporting houses, to draw tank-wagons which contain burning oil, but these vehicles can centre upon many thousands of easily-replenished depots. The horse is absolutely out of it, when it comes to a matter of , comparable transport for motor spirit, largely hecause depots are fewer in number, whilst distances are considerably greater. Without such facilities, 'having regard to the extent to which petrol already , enters into the vely life of many industries, and to ' the growing demand in those industries--goods-carrying, passenger-carrying, motor-mail contracting, cornmenial and military haulage, and general transport, the risk of industrial upheaval will become greater.
. The prosnect is one that cannot be faced with equanimity. Hence, we are glad to know, there is every reasonable prospect that the Petroleum Committee of the Home Office will not allow its decision in this -matter to be delayed for very long.
It is a matter of some satisfaction to us to be able to announce that the Editor has undertaken, at the request of the Home Office Committee, to prepare a ; type specification for a suitable tank. This will be submitted for a capacity of 900 gallons. He will be delighted to have any suggestions from readers possessed of special knowledge or experience in this mat"Suggestions should be communicated promptly.