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News of the Week

STATE CONTROL MEANS STAGNATION IN DESIGN

'FEARS that the nationalization of Iroad transport will react unfavourably on commercial-vehicle manufacturers were expressed by Mr. Henry Spurner, director and general manager of Leyland Motors. •Ltd., at a dinner given last week by the directors.

"Under a nationalized system," he said, " there can never again be the keen competition that existed amongst manufacturers in the past and which was so largely responsible in bringing British commercial vehicles to their present high state of perfection.

" Incoming orders will be regularized.' We shall be told the type of vehicle we are to supply and to whom. As a result, design and development will tend to stagnate. This condition cannot help but have its repercussions on our overseas trade, for how can we develop our export models if we are constrained to build standardized, but out-of-date, types for the home market'" LEYLAND SELLS HAM WORKS

HAM works of Leyland Motors, Ltd., where the B.U.T. trolleybus is made, has been sold to the Hawker Air

craft concern. Leyland vehicles will continue to be serviced there Since the end of the war large extensions have been made to the Leyland factories in the north. Plant for equipping them, however, has been held up by the Government's curtailment of capital expenditure and the Leyland board has decided to concentrate mann A22 factoring facilities by transferring the Kingston plant to the north The directors of Hawker Aircraft, Ltd., have stated that they will take over as many workers as possible.

THE LATIL COMES BACK THE well-known Latil industrial I tractor is again to be made in Great Britain. Production is to be under taken by Concessionaires, Ltd.,

Pontiac Works, Jubilee Place, London, S.W.3,-at its work g at Ascot.

The company's policy will be to export the majority of its output to countries within the sterling area. Mr. Kaye Don managing director, is leaving England on the "Stirling Castle" on January 29, for a tour of South Africa and Rhodesia. He will be at the Brabazon Plaza, Cape Town, on February 14, and at the Longhorn Hotel, Johannesburg, on February 18. B.T.C. TO HAND OVER L.M.S. NORTHERN IRELAND ASSETS?

ANEW Nornern Ireland Transport Authority is to be set up to co-ordinate road and rail transport. Proposals for its establishment will be laid before the Northern Ireland Parliament.

The Government proposes to acquire from the British Transport Commission the Northern Ireland assets of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway (Northern Counties Committee). As a first step in this direction, Sir Cyril Hurcomb, chairman of the B.T.C., last week met Sir Roland Nugent, Northern Ireland Minister of t ommerce, and Mr. G. H. E. Parr, Permanent Secretary to the Ministry. Broad principles governing the transfer were considered, and when these are established, technical talks will follow.

Sir Roland Nugent has already set in motionthe Government's policy of co-ordinatin7 road and rail transport in Northern Ireland.

BIG DEMAND FOR SPARES: ASSURANCE REQUIRED

ATTENT1ON has been called by the National Road Transport Federation to an important aspect of the Government's curtailment of commercial-vehicle allocations to the home market.

There will be a greatly increased demand for spare parts for the maintenance of old vehicles, the Federation points out, and the authorities should give some assurance that the necessary components will be made available.

" It is well within the realms of possibility that this very heavy demand for spare parts will prove to be quite wasteful of manpower and effort," says the N.R.T.F. The effort required in the manufacture of spare parts, together with that, need for their application, to old vehicles, blight well equal or exceed the effort of making an entireli. new vehicle, particularly. as an old machine is not, more than 90 per Cent, efficient.

DEATH OF MR. JOHN GOOD

'WJE regret to record the death, at the VI' age of 70, as the result of an accident, of MR. JOHN GOOD, who for many years was connected with Guy Motors, Ltd., of which he became a direct or.

During the 1914-1918 war Mr. Good was Deputy Director of Projectiles at the Ministry of Munitions, and for his work was decorated with the O.B.E. After the war he was for a time connected with Messrs. Bean's and later joined Guy Motors, Ltd. For nearly 20 years he travelled to many parts of the world and lived for some time in Australia.

He was subsequently appointed export manager and London director of Guy Motors, Ltd., and on the outbreak of war in 1939 was transferred to Wolverhampton, where he took charge of the welded armoured vehicles'department. Welding was eventually applied to all types of armoured fighting vehicle produced by the Allies.

Because of ill-health Mr. Good resigned his directorship some two years ago. 300 PER CENT. MORE WORK FOR B.E.T.R.O.

MEXT month, the British Export IN Trade Research Organization starts its third year of full activity with about 300 per cent, more work than was in hand nine months ago.

Plans are well advanced for a substantial expansion in the overseas trade intelligence service of commercial news.

The opening of an office in Washington, accompanied by wide publicity and co-operation throughout the United States, has been of great value to British sellers and American buyers.

With the exception of the U.S.S.R. and two of the Balkan States, every country. in Europe has been visited by research executives on behalf of manufacturing interests. Extensive work has been carried on in the West Indies, South America, South Africa and Australasia, and a B.E.T.R.O. executive is now operating in Spain and Portugal. Another official is about to leave for Canada.

RECRUITMENT OFFICER FOR T.R.T.A.

A CAMPAIGN to increase its membership is being carried on by the Traders' Road Transport Association. For this purpose it requires a representative for recruitment in the London and Home Counties, who is willing to train for eventual area secretaryship. He should be between 25 and 35 years of age,

The possession of a car and some knowledge of road transport would be advantages. The salary will be £300£400 plus commission and travelling expenses. Applicants should write to the Area Secretary of the Association, 146, New Bond Street, London, W.1.

MORE RECONDITIONED USED VEHICLES TO compensate for any reduction in turnover brought about by the restriction of sales of new vehicles in the home market, Braid Bros., Ltd., is to increase sales of reconditioned ex-Government and other used vehicles. Mr. William M. Good, A.C.A., chairman of the company, made this announcement at the annual general meeting.

The Braid group includes the Chester Engineering Co., Ltd., and William

Chester Brothers (Burton-on--frentl, Ltd., and, as reported in "The Commercial Motor" on January 9. has bought the Vauxhall-Bedford dealership business of Ciarlick, Burrell and Edwards, Ltd.

STATE TRANSPORT W.11.1. NEVER SATISFY

NO State-owned transport system, even if it were highly decentralized, could give -users the satisfaction that has been afforded by free enterprise. The road transport section of Manchester Chamber of Commerce expresses this view in its annual report

Radical changes under nationalization would dislocate the free movement of goods, and transport charges would probably have to be raised, says the report At the present time, manufacturers and exporters needed the most flexible and efficient means for transport.

BENT WOOD: QUICK DELIVERY

BENT timber sections of any kind for bodybuilding are supplied by George Hopton and Co., Ltd., Commercial Place, Chalk Farm Road, London, N.W.1. Fourteen days' delivery can normally be given.

Some of the bent timber units available are described in a booklet which the company has just issued. NOVEMBER REGISTRATIONS DROP IMOVEMBER'S new registrations, apart from those of cars and motorcycles, totalled 15,212, compared with 18,670 in October and 20,069 in September. The average for the first 11 months of 1947 was 16,547, and the total 182,019.

The following table shows new registrations by classes:—

TWIN-RATIO SEDDON ON SHOW

ONF of the first Seddon tractor units with the new twin-ratio rear axle is now being displayed by the London distributor, Hall's (Finchley), Ltd.. High Road, North Finchley, N.12. The machine is designed to haul 8-10-ton loads and a report of its performance. In conjunction with a Carrimore semitrailer, will be published in " The Commercial Motor " on February 6. The vehicle has a Perkins P.6 70 b.h.p, oil engine.

LAWSON PIGOTT NEW AFRICAN COMPANY THE activities of Lawson Pigoti 1 Motors. Ltd., Bedford House, East Barnet Road, New Barnet, are now being extended, learns "The Commercial Motor. to Southern Rhodesia, where the company has acquired the business formerly carried on by Eastern Motors, Ltd., in Umtali A new company is being formed, with £50,000 capital, under 'he name of Lawson Pigott Motors (Rhodesia), Ltd., to operate the Vauxhall-Bedford-Chevrolet-Buick distributorship.

This .distributing and automobile engineering concern has been specializing in commercial-vehicle work for over 30 years.

INSURANCE ASSESSORS SAY SPEED IS NOT DANGEROUS

A T a 41-hour "Road Safety" meet

ing of the Institute of Automobile Assessors, held on January 16, in London, discussion was framed under the headings of:—Road worthiness of vehicles; driving and drivers; road conditions; other road users.

It was a comprehensive and almost audacious programme for a single evening, this point being emphasized by a representative of the Automobile Association, who referred to the long periods spent on the subject by committees, resulting in the production of various reports.However, it gave a

wide variety of people an opportunity of stating their views.

The chairman observed that speed had not been included amongst the headings for the reason that it was considered that speed as such was not responsible for road accidents, these usually resulting from careless or dangerous driving. At one point 5 m.p.h. might be more dangerous than 50 m.p.h. at another.

The general tendency appeared to be a wish for the periodical technical examination of motor vehicles,. At present, private cars have no such test of their fitness for the road. It was pointed out, however, that there were two objections to this—the difficulty of obtaining the large manpower required, also the fact that legislation would be necessary, and the Government was already f■ lly occupied in this direction.

There was something of a "flare up" between some of the assessors and representatives of the insurance companies, certain of the former being of the opinion that insufficient attention was paid to their reports. They believed that the insurance companies should do more in this connection. 750 BEDFORDS FOR AFRICAN GROUNDNUT SCHEME

AN order for 750 Bedford vehicles for the Government sponsored groundnut scheme in East Africa has been received by Vauxhall Motors, Ltd.

Announcing this important news at Luton last Frid ty, Mr. R. H. Batchelor, export manager, said: "The bulk of the vehicles are 5-ton lorries and there is a fair sprinkling of tippers. We aim to ship 170 trucks during January. The first have already left Luton for London docks en route to East Africa."

ROAD TAX ON BENCH TESTS

THE Parliamentary and Legal HE of the. Motor Industry recently held a meeting at which it was resolved that representations should he made to the Government in order to endeavour to obtain exemption from lax of petrol used for engine testing and experimental work in the motor industry. It is pointed out that the tax was devised as a road one, and its application to essential productive processes, not only distorts the original intention, but represents an avoidable addition to industrial costs.

It is an anomaly that when fuel is . spplied for bench-testing oil engines, this is tax free, as it is not subject to the 9d. per gallon duty unless it be actually used on the roads.

SCOTTISH SHOW NEXT YEAR

:THERTHERE will be no Scottish Motor E this year.The Scottish Motor Trade Association, in making this announcement, states that the exhibition will not be revived until late in 1949, because it was felt that promotion of the show this year would not be to the general benefit of existing members of the Association, nor of vehicle manufacturers. Although there is a strong export motive for the show in London, there is no similar justification fox a Scottish exhibition.

It is expected that the 1949 event— the 38th in the series—will include private-car, commercial-vehicle, accessory and service-equipment exhibits.

SCOTLAND TO CONTROL HER TRANSPORT

AN assurance. that due allowance would be made for Scotland's desire to have full control of the transport within her borders was given on January

15 by Sir Cyril Hurcomb, chairman of the British Transport Commission, at a Press conference in Glasgow.

Whilst it was unlikely that there would be any extension of the railways under nationalization, Highland areas might be better served by the closer co-ordination of rail and road services,

he said.

LEYLAND INTRODUCES INDUCTION HEATING INDUCTION heating for the harden' ing of oil-engine injector parts has been introduced by Leyland Motors.

Ltd. A 1-kw. induction heating set, having a frequency of over 1,000,000 cycles a second, has been installed. It completes the hardening and quenching processes in 15 seconds.

An injector component is heated to 800 degrees C. in nine seconds. A mag netically operated water valve is then opened and the component is quenched.

A woman operative feeds the machine by inserting into an aperture the part to be hardened and pressing a button, after which the operations are completely automatic. A red light gives warning that heating is in progress; a green light shows up while the component is being quenched, and a white light signifies operations completed.

FOUR APPEALS NEXT WEEK KIEXT week's appeals, to be heard by the Appeal Tribunal at Halifax House, Strand, London, W.C.2, from January 27-29, are as follow:—James Bolton, Ltd., against a decision of the North Western Deputy Licensing Authority; G. F. C. Burgess, Ltd..

against the Metropolitan Deputy Licensing Authority; J. C. Bell against the Western Licensing Authority; and C. A. E. C. Howard, 1.1d., against the Eastern Licensing Authority.

ER.T.E. PAPER IN EDINBURGH

PAPERS on "The Trend of Development in America " will be read by Mr. S. Hollands, home sales manager, and Mr. G. D. Robinson, 111.1.Mech.E.. chief designer of the Associated Equipment Co., •Ltd., at a meeting of. the Scottish Centre of the Institute of Road Transport Engineers. The venue will be the North British Hotel, Edinburgh. on February 9, at 7.30 p.m.

BEDFORD OLBD CHASSIS WJE are informed by Vauxhall IN Motors, Ltd., that the Bedford MAID chasSis is fitted with 6-volt thirdbrush-regulation 100 amp.-hr. electrical equipment, and that the fuel-lank capacity is 16 gallons.

Should the gear lever be removed for topping up the level of the gearbox lubricant, the level plug should also be removed as a precautionary measure.

The gearbox is of the conventional crash" pattern. "INDUSTRY MUST SUPPORT B.T.C."—Sir G. Jenkins

AN appeal to the transport industry to support Sir Cyril Hurcomb, chairman of the British Transport Commission, in the huge task of organizing road transport and coordinating it with rail transport, was made at the annual dinner of the Institute of Transport's Yorkshire Section, in Leeds, last week.

Sir Gilmour Jenkins, Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Transport, said that Sir Cyril would require all the help that the Institute could give.

Mr. T. W. Roylc, president, said that the Institute's present membership was approximately 8,000.

One of the main things," he con tinued, is the co-ordirration between road and rail transport, a problem which has been taxing many brains for many years. So far as I know, we have not yet found a solution. Any ideas that might help to solve it will he welcomed."

Major Geoffrey R. Kitson said that the main any of the transport industry was the good will of the whole of the British public, and members of the Institute could foster it in the years to come. " I do hope we shall enter this new phase with a constructive mind," he added.

Major F. S. Eastwood presided.

SCOTTISH UNION CELEBRATES GOLDEN JUBILEE

1"HE golden jubilec of the Scottish Horse and Motormen's Association was celebrated last week at a dinner in Glasgow at which nearly 300 delegates were present. The Association now Possesses funds totalling E280.000.

Sir Hector MNeill, Lord Provost of Glasgow, said that great improvements could be effected in the British transport system by co-ordination under the Transport Act. "1 am convinced that vte are on the threshold of great things," he added.

RAILWAYS MUST BE PRESERVED, SAYS MR. MACVE

THAT the Minister of Transport had intimated that evasion of conditions of C licences might cause him "to think again," was the subject of comment by Mr W. E. Macve, M.Inst.T., speaking (he said) as a private individual and not in his official capacity of NorthWestern Licensing Authority, at the annual dinaer of the Manchester and District Traffic Association last week.

During his career as a traffic manager, said Mr. Macve, he had felt that it was only a matter of time before something was done to maintain the natural asset of the railways, and he believed that the system to be introduced would be good for the Nation. It was the duty of all concerned to give the new set-up a fair chance.

Mr. J. A. Powell, M.Inst.T., chairman of the M. and D.T.A., urged transport men to back up the nationalized system and make it work. Tribute to the educational work in transport which had been performed by members of the Association came from the president, Mr. A. Mycoe,

Some Manchester transport history was recalled by Lt.-Col. T. H. Stevens, 0.B.E., who said that free enterprise of transport undertakings had built up a prosperous commen.,:al centre from what might have been a quiet town.

ANOTHER EXHIBITION

THE Engineering and Industrial Equipment (Home and Export) Exhibition will be open at the Royal Horticultural Hall, Vincent Square, London, S.W.1, from March 10-24. It is being organized by "Britain's Best" Exhibitions, 17-18, Henrietta Street, London, W.C.2.

NEW BRADFORD WORKS

THE new branch works at Oak 'Mills; Clayton, Bradford, started production last week. The works are being used for the manufacture of components for Bradford vans and lowett cars, and for sub-assemblies before final assembly at the main works at Idle.

BLACK MARKET INVESTIGATION Tuesda-,,, the ccmmittee appointed to inquire into the extent of the black market in petrol held its first meeting. Mr. G. Russell Vick, K.C., is chairman

A26 FURTHER CLAIMS BY BUSMEN

SUBSTANTIAL pay increases are sought by municipal transport workers (all vehicles), learns "The Commercial Motor." An application on behalf of the bus unions was made lo the National Joint Industrial Council (Municipal) on January 8. A return meeting is scheduled for the early part of February. Meanwhile, the employers will investigate the case.

Further claims are that the period of three years necessary to reach maximum rates be reduced to 18 months, and that the rate for traffic grades after 1 p.m. on Saturdays be time-and-a-half.

A similar application is being made on behalf of company bus employees.

BETTER BUS STATIONS NEEDED

NAANY bus stations were now Made

quate to meet growing needs, said Mr. J. W. Fletcher, chairman of the East Midland Licensing Authority, last week. In the comparatively near future, local authorities would have to consider the provision of better facilities. PAY RAISED: STORM AT WEST HARTLEPOOL WEST HARTLEPOOL transport SI' committee has granted an application by the local branch of the Transport and General Workers' Union for conductors' wages to be brought to .£4 13s. a week (rising to £4 16s.), compared with £4 10s. (rising to £4 13s.) at present. The committee has also decided to grant an extra week's holiday to employees.

At a recent meeting of the corporation it was asserted that the undertaking was "seething with discontent" and that there had been threats of strikes.

Court. Mille" moved a resolution that "Owing to the unsatisfactory working of the transport committee, another subcommittee be called upon to investigate matters concerning the transport department." The resolution was moved out of order.

Coun. Breward accused the transport manager, Mr. 1. A. Burton, of giving an evasive reply to workmen who had sought an intetview. He added that only after great pressure had a deputation from the men been received.

Coon. Miller alleged that a man with 30 years' service in the transport department had been dismissed because he was three minutes late on one journey.

Aid. I. Middleton, chairman of the transport committee, protested against the action of members of the council in trying to foster trouble among transport workers. Coma, Brackstone stated that men were walking three and four miles to work because of a policy of not providing workmen's services if they did not pay.

SERVICE THEY CANNOT HAVE

DESPITE the backing of Shirebrook Parish Council, Biackwell Rural District Council, Scarsdale advisory sub-committee of Derby County Council, local miners, railway workers and housewives, who gave evidence, the East Midland Licensing Authority last week rejected an application by Messrs. Truman for permission to run a daily service from Shirebrook to Mansfield, instead of twice a week.

Mr. J. W. Fletcher, chairman of the Licensing Authority, held that existing services were reasonable and that wasteful competition would result if the application were granted. L.T.E. SENDS OUT OVERHAULS

ONDON TRANSPORT has awarded Li to F G. Smith (Motors), Ltd., Goodmayes, a contract for the overhaul of Gardner off engines. These are not used as standard power units in London buses. It is understood that F. G. Smith (Motors), Ltd., will overhaul about five engines a week.

"The Commercial Motor was informed by an •official of London Transport that the Executive did not propose to send out engine overhauls as a general practice.

id. INCREASE IN FARES?

TO meet rising costs, Newcastle-onTyne Transport Committee is recommending a id. increase in tram and bus fares up to and including 2d. These comprise about 97 per cent, of the fares in operation. The ld. minimum fare will, if the proposals be approved, be raised to lid, and the id. terminal fare will he increased to Id

South Shields Corporation, which has also been considering increasing fares, has decided to postaonc the matter pending the outcome of an epplication by the Transport and General Workers' Union lot higher wages for transport employees.

"LONDON. COASTAL" STEPS OUT

A USTERITY had no damping effect r-kon the-1948 cabaret ball of London Coastal Coaches, Ltd., and associated companies, on January 14. Among those attending were Mr, B. Smith, chairman, Mr. A. E. Cannon and Mr. C. E. Holmes, directors; Mr. F. W. Robinson,• general manager; Mr. G. A. Newman, assistant secretarse. Mr. L. E. Corbett, traffic manager; and Mr. K. Grey, chart-room supervisor.

Several associated companies' ;raffle managers were also present. NEW ENTRANT TO BUS MARKET

I T is understood that a well-known goods-vehicle manufacturer is proposing to enter thc passenger-vehicle market with an oil-engined 32-seater. "The engine is likely to be a cylindered unit.

An articulated passenger vehicle of ibis make. with bodywork by a London concern, has already been sent overseas.

MAXIMUM WAGE RATE SOONER

THE Noethern Area Committee of the Municipal Passenger Transport Association has decided that the period of three years for bus drivers and conductors to reach their maximum wage should he reduced to 12 months, There is a difference of 3s, a week between the

minimum anti maximum rates.

Under the new scheme, operatives will receive an advaetee ot Is. od. after six months and a similar increase six months later.

ESSEX OUT TO STOP ALLEGED SPEEDING BY COACHES

DRIVERS of coaches who travel through Essex should he warned that the county council is taking steps to prevent breaches of the speed limit.

The highways sub-committee has investigated timetables which, it states, make it impossible for drivers to adhere to the speed limit. The county police say that they are doing their utmost to check infringements of the speed limit by coach drivers. From April Ito Sepiember 30, 1947, 25 drivers of contract carriages were prosecuted and coovicted, and 48 were officially warned.

All local authorities in the county are being asked to ,onsider co-opting representatives of operators or drivers to serve on road-satety committees.

COSTS UP BY £44,600 SOU.1HPOlaT Transport Department's operating costs have risen by .£44,600 during the past 12 months. The estimated lose for the next three finan:jai years, based on present costs. will be about .£28,400 a year. Higher fares, %vhich will operate from April I, arc expected to bring in 00,500.