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News of the Week

27th December 1946
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Page 22, 27th December 1946 — News of the Week
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NEW AUSTIN 2S-CWT. RANGE: PRICES TO BE RAISED

ANEW range of 25-cwt. vehicles embodying several novel features, and an ambulance incorporating a similar chassis, are expected to be announced by the Austin Motor Co., Ltd., in February. The Government department controlling the steel allocation will not allot any material to these new models, consequently a corresponding reduction in the output of other Austin types will have to be made. During the first few months deliveries will be on a small scale.

This announcement was made by Mr. L. P. Lord, chairman of the Austin company, at the annual general meeting on December 18.

Ile also said that the post-war total exports of Austin vehicles numbered 31,034, comprising 25,578 cars and vans and 5,456 other commercial vehicles. These exports were valued at £8.283,804. In a recent 14-week period, an average of 2,033 Austin vehicles was dispatched each week, but production in the first quarter of next year was expected to fall to about 1,800 vehicles a week, because of the shortage of materials, particularly steel.

Prices of all Austin vehicles were likely to be raised early in the New Year, Mr. Lord added.

L.N.E.R. STANDARDIZES ON VANS FOR PARCELS

TWO new Commer I-ton parcels vans that have been put into service by the L.N.E.R. Railway Co. in Leicester. represent the type that is to be adopted by the company for parcels delivery everywhere. Six more vans will shortly be added to the company's fleet of 79 motor vehicles in Leicester. The new vans have roller shutters.

For operational purposes, Leicester is included in the area of the district manager, Nottingham, who is responsible for 177 motor vehicles, 86 of which are mechanical horses and 91 rigid vehicles.

LMS. ORDERS 1630,000 OF VEHICLES

r)RDERS worth more than 4630,000 1-1 are being placed by the L.M.S. Railway for 940 new vehicles and 625 trailers. The programme includes over 500 mechanical horse tractors and 300 gp4,ads vehicles.

More than 200 of the new vehicles will replace horse-drawn transport; the remainder will augment the L.M.S. road fleet for the development of peace-time traffic.

N.F.V.T. RESUMES DINNERS

THE National Federation of Vehicle Trades recently held a dinner in London for the first time since the outbreak of war. Among those present were Mr. W. Black (Park Royal Vehicles, Ltd.), Mr. A. Froggatt (Weyrnann's, Ltd.) and Mr. .I. B. Oster (Express Motor Bodies, Ltd.)—three past presidents—Mr. W. Sutton (Willowbrook Coachworks, Ltd.), senior vice-president; Mr. H. G. Hicks (John C. Beadle, Ltd.) and Mr. R. Frost (Strachan's [Successors], Ltd.). Mr. W. Bramharn presided.

TRAFFIC CONGESTION NEEDS RADICAL REMEDY

THE president of the British Road Federation, Lord Sandhurst, 0.B.E., took the chair at a luncheon on Deceml her 18, at which Sir Patrick Abercrombie spoke on roads.

Lord Sandhurst said that the Hun had done in a few days and nights what only years of legislation to make open spaces could have achieved. It was essential to think not of to-day, but years hence, when vehicles would increase from the present 3,000,000 to, perhaps, 15,000,000. The B.R.F. would give every help in obtaining for the planners funds and labour.

Sir Patrick said we had to distinguish between the dynamic aspect (vehicles) and the static (road and planning). At times we were apt to concentrate too much upon traffic movement. In London we have one of the most difficult traffic problems in the world. and were it not for the efforts of the police we should be in a much worse state.

The London Passenger Transport Board had done much to produce excellent order out of what was formerly chaos. Most of the present suggestions, such as staggering working hours. although excellent, are only palliatives: a much more radical remedy is required. It is no good improving the method of transport if we take longer to reach our destination.

Existing roads in rural areas must not be used as exclusive motor roads, as the inhabitants might be deprived of their only means for communication.

He was against parallel lanes of trees along roads; clumps were much better.

AUSTIN SETS UP INDIAN CO.

AN agreement has been signed for the establishment of a company in India to erect Austin vehicles. A plant will be built at one of India's main ports and the output will be a minimum of

3,000 vehicles a year, Although the Indian company will be financially independent and will be controlled by Indians, the Austin Motor Co., Ltd., will send technicians from Birmingham, and adequate jigs, tools and machinery to enable an early start to be made. It is expvted that production will begin within a year. Every model in the Austin range will be assembled and manufactured in the Indian plant.

IljG GLASGOW DEMONSTRATION AGAINST BILL

ST ANDREW'S HALL, Glasgow, is to be used next month for one of the largest meetings of protest against nationalization. The Scottish Railway Stockholders' Protection Association will hold the rally and a committee is being formed to oppose the Bill. The Road Haulage Association will cooperate in organizing public opposition.

Mr. John Miller, chairman of the Stockholders Association, described the structure proposed by the Bill as "a mass of complicated and unworkable administrative machinery, which would throw inland transport into a morass of bureaucracy."

The influential Blackburn Chamber of Commerce has passed a' resolution opposing the Transport Bill.

LACK OF STATESMANSHIP: "DOCTRINES BLINDLY FOLLOWED fri. Is pointed out by the National Con' ference of Trade and Industry on Transport that the general public is apparently not fully aware of some of the pertinent facts surrounding the presentation of the Transport Bill.

Railway stockholders are opposing it on the grounds of terms which mean confiscation rather than compensation. The railways, road haulage, canals and dock and harbour interests are as one in determined opposition. These, however, are providers of transport services.

When the views of general trade and industry are expressed, it can rightly be assumed that no bias can colour them. Their one concern must be the provision of efficient and economic transport services. Individually, by trades and industries, and collectively, through national organizations, they have, ignoring creed or party, voiced in the strongest possible terms the gravest doubts as to the wisdom of this step, and they have qualified their instinctive objections by urgirg at least a Public Judicial Inquiry.

It is significant that • Government leaders, in making a nation-wide appeal for increase in output, are relying on the experience and knowledge of trade and industry, but are not prepared toaccept the• advice of that same experience and • knowledge to look before they leap in connection with nationalization.

Five Supermen

THE wide powers which the Trans'. port Bill proposes to confer upon the Minister of Transport would make him "a dictator on the most Fascist model," suggests tha Transport Committee of Leeds Chamber of Commerce, in a memorandum urging that the. Bill be withdrawn and the whole matter referred to an independent Royal Commission or committee for the fullest investigation.

The general view which the memorandum takes of the Bill is that the proposals have no concrete bearing on the provision of an efficient transport service for the country, and merely bring about a change of control in accordance with the doctrine of ideologists.

It comments that the success of the proposal to establish the Transport Commission "depends upon finding five supermen who will be able to achieve what a number of distinguished committees and commissions have discussed without result during the past 20 years."

On internal evidence, it would appear that each of the nationalized undertakings would carry on in its present form as an agent of the appropriate executive, continues the memorandum. The Bill did not attempt to provide an integrated scheme of transport, but merely a change in the form of control. It followed that the Commission and the executives would be unable to-do more to secure integration than the present owners.

Dealing with the proposed "further crippling restrictions upon road trans Can there remain any doubt that the policy of ignoring this huge volume of warning from those fully qualified to speak, indicates complete lack of wise statesmanship and a blind adherence to doctrines, irrespective of consequences?

STUDYING CAUSES OF FIRE • THROUGH the Department of 1 Scientific and Industrial Research, the Government has decided to establish a comprehensive fire research organization, jointly with the Fire Offices' Committee. For purposes of day-to-day administration it will operate as a normal organization of the D.S.I.R. A Fire Research Board has been appointed jointly by the D.S.1.R. and the F.O.C., with Lord Falmouth as the chairman.

PERSONAL PARS

MR. JOHN RATTER, C.B.E., B.Sc., A.M. Inst.C.E., has been appointed civil engineer (maintenance) in the department of the chief engineer, London

Transport. ,

MR. E. BRUCE Bata., MR. C. D. H. MACARTNEY-FILGATE and Ma. W. J. RUSTON have been appointed to the governing council of the British Engineers' Association.

Ma. W. A. GLEN: M.I.P.E., formerly production manager. of Vickers-Arm-, stomp,Ltd., Weybridge, has been appointed, works manager of Skyhi, Ltd., Isleworth, Middlesex.

Must be Found

Port," the memorandum comments that for the present advantageous flexible system of goods transport by road the Bill proposes the substitution of "an arbitrary control which can only lead to inefficiency and, in addition, lays such further restrictions upon shortdistance carriers, who will be left independent, as will make it practically impossible for them to carry on their business."

One of the points made in support of the claim that the C-licence holder should be exempted from the control proposed in the Bill is that "operations by C-licence holders will be the only .means of judging the comparative efficiency of the monopolistic Government scheme."

Doubtful Guardian

Expressing scepticism as to the value of the proposed Transport Tribunal as a means for protecting the transport user in the matter of rates, the memorandum comments: "In view of the fact that the Tribunal is prohibited by Section 89 from requiring the Commission to do anything which would prevent the Commission from giving effect to any directions of the Minister on any subject, it is extremely doubtful whether the Tribunal would be able to act as an adequate guardian of the users' interests in regard to charges."

Declaring that the compensation proposals "amount to downright confiscation," the memorandum contends that all questions of compensation should be settled by adequate arbitration procedure.

COMPENSATION INADEQUATE, SAYS DRIVER

HAULIERS in Perthshire recently accepted a challenge by Mr. R. Wallace to debate the nationalization proposals with representatives of the Transport and General Workers' Union. Two long-distance drivers were on the platform—Mr. K. Crockart (employed by R. Nicol and Co., Perth) and Mr. J. Smith (G. Dutch, Ltd., Perth).

Mr. Crockart, who thought that a public inquiry should be held before the Bill was passed, said that the small man was not to be compensated adequately for the loss of his life's work and ideals.

Lord Provost J. Ure Primrose, who presided, asked whether a driver who was dismissed could get back into employment if the Government were the sole employer. Mr. Crockart replied that the human side was being taken into account in the union deliberations.. , -Answering a statement by Mr. Smith that wages might drop under private enterprise, Mr. W. Dickson Gilmour, for the hauliers, said that drivers were pro tected by a wages board. Even if nationalization did not come, he prophesied a 40-hour week within the next year. -Mr. Smith said that the Bill, as published, gave drivers no indication of how they would be affected.

FROM WAR TO PEACE WITHOUT CUTTING STAFF

A FTER referring to the "almost timiraculous growth" of the company in a few years, Mr. Frank Perkins said, at the staff dinner of E. Perkins, Ltd., in Peterborough, last week, that the change from war-time to peace-time production had been made without the need for reducing staff. He put forward as the company's slogan fornext. year, "The best is nothingmore than the basis for sound improvement."

The event was higfily successful, and among those present were' 'Mr. W. Van• Twist, Perkins distributor for' Holland; Mr. R. Seddon, of Foster and Seddon, Ltd., and Mr. W: A. SIM, of Sprin&ood Motors, Ltd., the cotnpany that is to produce the new Proctor Diesel 6-toriner, which will have a Perking P6 engine.

MR, BEDDOW ON NATIONALIZA-• TION

'THE dictatorial powers to be con1 ferred on the Minister of Transport and the provisions for compensation proposed by the Transport Bill were severely criticized by Mr. R. P. Beddow, Minst.T., chairman of the East Kent Road Car Co., Ltd., at the company's annual general meeting, He said that there was no provision for the justification for an area co-ordination scheme to be proved before an independent tribunal, or for compensation to be settled by arbitration. Power to approve or disapprove a scheme was vested in the Minister of Transport, who could also alter any plan submitted to him and direct the Commission to • prepare co-ordination arrangements, whether it wanted to do so or not.

Business contacts with British firms desiring to trade with the Canaries are required by Antonio Perera Ramos, Las Palmas, Canary Islands.


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