OPINIONS and QUERIES
Page 31
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REVOCATION OF CERTAIN DEFENCE PERMITS
ONE of the remarks made by -Mr. G. L. Bottomley in his article "Is Grouping the Best Solution? " in your issue dated February 2, was that the majority of hauliers gave him the impression of sheep allowing themselves to be led to the slaughter.
I would suggest that this is an understatement, for we are more like lambs being led up the garden path, for sheep do say " Baa " occasionally. • •
It appears to me that our leaders, represented by the Standing Joint Committee, in their wisdom made various recommendations dealing with A and B licences. The licensing authorities have not been slow to take advantage of the "invitation,' coniequently numbers of operators in the Western Area have received notification that any licences granted to them since the outbreak of war, and in excess of the number previously held, will be revoked, giving three months' notice. Also a contract licence must be employed only on work, for the concern specified on the licence.
It would appear, therefore, that we are now in reverse. We can only come to the conclusion that the war has now been won and these people who did their best and helped during the war are to be cast aside.
It occurs to me that it would be more just, if there be a number of vehicles in excess of requirements (Which I.doubt), that those M.O.W.T. vehicles attached to the various unit controllers should be taken of first, as this would entail no hardship to anyone.
Clutton. BRISTOL HAULIER.
THE DESIGN OF THE LONDON TAXICAB WITH consideMble interest I read the article by " S.T.R. in your issue of February 2, entitled "Some Legal Aspects of Hire-car Operation," but was indeed surprised to note that your erudite contributor should have strayed so far from his subject as to have advanced views regarding the suitability of the present type of London taxicab constructed in accordance with the present regulations. This surely is a technical matter and one that should have found no place in an article bearing such a title.
Curiously enough, your contributor, having stated that he has "never been able to appreciate why all this fuss is made about the design of the London cab," then proceeds to state that in his opinion most of the present regulations governing design are.." reasonable and right." 'By inference, therefore, he agrees with the view of the industry, that a number of the regulations is not reasonable and right, and as it is these very regulations which it is sought to amend, he should find no difficulty in understanding why the industry is making a " fuss."
I think his assumption that comfort and modernity are synonymous with ornateness is most unfortunate. The regulations, as they stand at the moment, put no restriction on ornateness, but only on progress, and it is for this reason that modifications in the present regulations are being pressed for. -I will not specify the many' anachronisms which require sweeping away, but if S.T.R. would like to have them I should be pleased to submit a list which he will find to be quite com prehensive! J. M. BIRCH,
, General Manager, Birch Bros., Ltd. London, N.W.5. VIEWS FROM A READER IN BURMA I T is with pleasure that I read "The Commercial Motor " out here in Burma. My copies are alwais passed to my friends who were in the motor trade. Incidentally, we are working in close co-operation with American pilots and transport drivers. They also seem most interested, and often interesting -discussions take place on the merits of some particular vehicle.
It is an indication of their views that they seem to be certain that the carriage of goods by air will be the method of the future; also, they are convinced that, in England, there is a far higher standard of maintenance and driving than in America.
Unfortunately, I have not the space in this air-mail letter-card to write a long account of these talks. One thing, however, stands out. British-made goods should find a ready market in America if our politicians and our representatives there do not spoil it.
After the war I shall return to my old position, but, first, I would like to take the examinations of the Institution of Automobile Engineers, so would you kindly recommend me to a good and thorough postal course, also give rue information as to the times when such examinations arC held. I should be back in England in another year. In the meantime I would like a copy of your Tables of Operating Costs.
.In conclusion, I wish to express my thanks to you for publishing such a splendid book.
S.E.A.C. A. J. Movi.E.
[We were very interested to re'ceive this letter and to learn that even while so busily engaged in Burma, at least some of our old readers and friends formerly in the motor industry are able to discuss trade matters. We are not of the opinion that air transport will largely replace road vehicles, except for long-distance traffic comprised of reasonably light loads which are of considerable value for their weight, or in cases where the need for unusual speed exists. For heavy loads not of considerable value, transport by air would, in our view, be uneconomic, as so much of the power must necessarily be absorbed in keeping the load in the air. No doubt many. things will he carried by a combination of the two methods, particularly for long-distance work across the' sea. Road transport would then conveY the loads to an air port, probably orte near the coast, from which they would travel by air and, probably, be met by more road transport on landing. As regards examinations for the I.A.E., we are asking this Institution to write to-you direct, as it may be able to recornmend some good postal course. Our Tables of Operating Costs are being sent to you .—Eo .
TROUBLE WITH A HAULAGE CONTRACT NOW OVERCOME
ALETTER from us was published in your issue dated December 29, 1944, under the title of "Trouble With a Haulage Contract." This referred to a case for breach of contract which was being brought against us.
You added a footnote from S.T.R., pointing out the lines of the defence which we could adopt.
We are no pleased to inform you that the ease hes been tried and we won it, on the grounds that the ontract was bad. The judge also gave us the counterclaim, and we were awarded costs on scales A and C.
We wish to thank you for your assistance in this' matter. W. S. NICHOLSON.
(For Messrs. W. S. Nicholson and Sons.) Cockermouth.