Haulier's Service Safer Than B.T.C.
Page 35
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A CCOR DING to the annual report (of the British Transport Commission, pilferage in the State railway undertaking in 1948 represented 3.19 per cent. of total earnings, whereas over a similar period, the figure for Messrs. National Parcels and Goods Service, South 13enfleet, was only 0.1 per cent.
Evidence to this effect was given when the firm applied successfully, last week, to the Eastern Licensing Authority for two extra vehicles, one of 24 tons and the other of 61 tons unladen, on A licences.
Witnesses representing the textile, food, aluminium-foil, garment and electrical trades had expressed their preference for road services, and particularly those provided by Messrs. National Parcels and Goods Service, because of the safety afforded to goods in transit.
Road Haulage Executive witnesses said that they could tackle the extra work, but on cross-examination it was found that , the only local vehicles', capable of handling fragile textiles and other goods landed at the airport were lorries normally used for carrying sand, ballast, bricks and coal. The Executive offered to run vehicles light from a base 20 miles away to collect anything that might be offered.
Mr. A. 14. Wild, for the applicants, suggested that this tendency might be one of the reaSons why the B.T.C. had shown such a huge loss" since its; inception.
AUSTIN OUTPUT AND EXPORTS LEAP
CARRYING out its duties against ....what he described as "a. background of political uncertainty, interference and thinly veiled threats," Mr. L. P. Lord, chairman, stated at the company's annual general meeting that the Austin Motor Co., Ltd., had increased its output by 48 per cent. in 1949. Three hundred additional vehicles per week would be produced in the first quarter of 1950, when the steel allocation would be increased.
Exports in 1949 were valued at £24,100,000 and in two years the number of vehicles sent overseas had doubled. Australia took a high proportion of Austin commercial vehicles.
Mr. Lord added that he believed the solution of the Nation's difficulties lay in private enterprise and he looked forward to the day when nationalized industries would also make some contribution to the Exchequer.
DIFFERENCE OVER TRAINING DISAPPEARS
rREATER harmony in the provision of training and educational facilities for motor mechanics was indicated by the president of the Institute of the Motor Industry, Mr. S. G. Davies, speaking at a dinner which the I.M.I.'s Yorkshire region, held in Leeds recently. He said that any seeming difference between the LM.[. and the Motor Agents' Association in relation to the national craftsman's certificate scheme
was .being rapidly ironed out. There was now a real progression between this scheme operated by the National Joint Industrial Council and the I.M.I.'s syllabus.
Pointing out that the old syllabus had been replaced by a new one,. Mr. Davies said he was gratified with the co-operation which technical colleges and other educational institutions had given to the RING ROUTES FOR CARDIFF?
CARDIFF city surveyor, Mr. E. C. L../Roberts; has outlined a comprehensive' plan for readjusting central bus traffic in the city. The maim features of the scheme are that three bus termini should be established to deal with north, west and eastbound traffic respectively, and that they should be linked by a circular bus service with a four-minute frequency.
At the moment congestion is caused 1.n Cardiff because buses use termini on the far side of the city, north-bound buses running to termini in the south, and west-bound buses to those on the east. Of 1,274 buses travelling daily through the city, 210 cut across main traffic streams.
The chief constable has declared himself entirely' insupport of the proposals, Which are to be considered at a joint meeting of the transport, public works, town planning and watch committees.
VANGUARD PRICE INCREASES
PRICES of the Standard range of commercial vehicles have been increased by approximately £50. The delivery van and pick-up will in future cost £475 in primer paint, or £487 with a• factory spray. The price of the estate Car with •Vynide •upholstery will be £735 9s. 5d., including purchase tax, and £745. 5s. with leather upholstery.