Some Opinions from the Trade Side.
Page 7
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
ANOTHER INTERVIEW.
Mr. H. G. Burford, M.I.Mech.E., the Chairman of the Commercial Vehicle Committee of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, when we met him on Saturday last, gave expression, at our request, to certain interesting views from the trade side. Mr. Burford's experience in the heavier branches of the movement dates back to the year 1896, and his steady allegiance to the cause of the business vehicle was recognised as entitling him to the position which he so admirably fills in the counsels of the industry.
In following our request anent to-day's situation in the utility vehicle section of the trade, Mr. Burford agreed that a number of makers were " doing badly." He believed this to be a case of sympathy with the unsatisfactory slate of trade generally, and partially a consequence of the not unnatural inferences drawn from the present condition of so many of London's omnibus companies. The troubles in that department he largely ascribed to unsound financial methods, excessive competition, and undue haste to get rich on the part of promoters.
Results from the R.A.C. Trials.
"Adverting to the September-October Trials," we continued, "do you think members of the industry are pleased with the business results which have accrued? "
" Far from it," ejaculated Mr. Burford. " There is, however, no parallel between the R.A.C. Trials and those of the Liverpool Self-Propelled Traffic Association. A very considerable amount of business was both booked and refused by me after we won the gold medal for internal-combustion lorries in mot, but you must remember that we were the pioneers of that type of road vehicle, and that more people were willing, at that date, to buy as a speculation. I should say, and speaking with an intimate knowledge of the views which are held amongst members of my committee, that no single manufacturer has reaped commensurate advantage from his participation in last year's competition." " Have you any knowledge," we next asked, "of purchasers who have begun to use commercial motors, and then have dropped out, and reverted to horses? "
" No," promptly answered our informant. " Such cases are practically unknown. Neither old nor new purchasers appear at all inclined to give up the use of commercial vehicles, and I am sure that there has been less and less disappointment for those who have made purchases during the last few years. Buyers give more care before they place orders nowadays, and therefore get more satisfaction. As a matter of fact, I know of nobody who has chosen to return to horse-drawn vehicles, although I know of many who have had to overcome the usual difficulties which are associated with so drastic a change in delivery organisation."
Changes in Demand.
" Your association with the industry, of course," we proceeded, "will probably enable you to endorse our own views as to the trend of business." We then outlined the chief points in our recollection. " Exactly," replied the managing director of Milnes-Daimler, Limited. " From rgoi to 1903, it was the five-ton steam wagon, and the 3o-cwt. petrol van ; from 1903 to 1906, it was the motor omnibus ; from the end of igo6 to date, it has, virtually, been nothing but the one-ton van. I fear that all other branches of the industry are comparatively at a full stop, and, as for the motorcab, I consider that there will be worse experiences, for a number of those whose financial enterprise has led them into this branch, than there have been in the motor omnibus world. Colonial trade, however, has been the bright spot of the lot ; I have personally done the heaviest trade in that direction, and I understand that other makers, especially those who have been established for some years, are equally pleased with their export orders."
Show and Other Prospects.
"The coming show, of course, may bring us into touch with a volume of business which we do not anticipate, but I think that the probabilities are very uncertain. So far as the Licensing Bill is concerned, I heartily agree with the argument which you advanced in your short leading article a fortnight ago, because no time limit that will be passed into Law can fail to be enormously in excess of the life of even the best motor vehicles. Any argument which brewers may seek to use on that score cannot, therefore, in my judgment, be a sincere one. I am naturally delighted with the successful work of the committee over which it is my honour to preside, and which committee is the largest and most influential of the society."
" And what about the future? " we concluded.
"Work and hard work, for all who wish to keep their factories going. Too many people are, according to my view, already in the commercial branch of the industry, and I do not see either allurement or inducement for new people to enter it. To-day's demand is certainly insufficient to keep many large works fully employed, and I believe that steam-wagon builders, who are relatively few in number, in relation to those who are members of the industry as a whole, have alone settled down upon steady business lines of a satisfactory character ; but their output is not very great. I certainly cannot make any pretence that I am satisfied, though I have no intention, as has been rumoured in consequence of my recent additional work in connection with the control of the Mercedi:s cars in this country, to give up hope. We have some hundreds of good customers, both at home and abroad, and we feel confident, having regard to the excellent qualities of the machines we have sold to them in earlier days, that additional orders will come along in good numbers before very long."