S.T.R.'s Wales Tour a Great Success T HE value of the
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lectures by S.T.R., The Commercial Motor costs expert, is at least .three times that which is apparent by the attendance at any meeting, says Mr. Clifford Thomas, South Wales secretary of the C.M.U.A. He knows from experience that those who are present go away and talk to their friends who did not find it possible to be present;
At Caernarvon, where the first meeting of S.T.R. 's South Wales tour was held on December 15, keen interest was shown in the figures presented. Most of the questions turned on hire-purchase and 'depreciation. A point that became apparent was that wages in South Wales are considerably lower than those prevalent elsewhere. Mr. J. E. Evans, of Cordet Transport, Newcastle-Emlyn, was in the chair.
At Swansea, on the following evenMg, Mr. J. L. John, of John's Motor Transport Co., Gorseinon, presided. Here, again, particularly keen interest was shown in the depreciation accOunt, and S.T.R. himself pointed out that this, perhaps above all others, was an item that was apt to be overlooked. He suggested that, if such operators could he persuaded to put on one side the amounts allocated for depreciation and to leave them untouched. twi good purposes would be served. First, the operator would avoid the mistake of over-estimating his profits: secondly. when the time came for his 'vehicle to be replaced, he would have Most of the necessary capital available, and would thus avoid the extra expense of acquiring his machine by hire-purchase instalments.
At Newport, again, a keenly interested audience attended. Mr. J. Freeguard, of All-British Carriers, Ltd., Newport, was in the chair, supported by Mr. C. H. Stephenson, of Renown Motors, Barry Dock.
Here, a curious question arose, namely, as to the correctness of deduct ing the cost of a set of tyres from the capital cost of the vehicle before assessing depreciation. S.T.R. said that to be asked to explain' that was like being asked to show that two and two made four. Tyres were already accounted fell and to depreciate them again was te repeat the same item.