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Answers to Queries.

27th January 1916
Page 19
Page 19, 27th January 1916 — Answers to Queries.
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

M.T.A. Address.

[2893] (South Wales).—The address of the Motor Trade Association is 155-7, Great Portland Street,

High Prices for Repairs to His American Lorry.

[2804] (Brixton).—Further re Query No. 2890, we ire unable to check the individual charges for specific parts. If they comply with the published list you will have no remedy. In our opinion, the charge of 2s. 6d. per hour for labour is. excessive. It should be reduced to not more than 28. The usual charge is the rate per hour doubled, and we seriously doubt if the men who did this work would be receiving more than 10d. an hour, although, in times like the present, they might be receiving is.

Steam or Petrol ?

[2895] (East Coast).---The general comparisons between petrol and steam were given on our free sheet. We have no knowledge of a book which can be recommended, such as the one for which you inquire. We have dealt with the claims of steam v. petrol in the course of various issues, but we are so short-handed in this office; due to the war, that we cannot look out the references. Furthermore, the issues will be out of print, and you could only get access to them by going somewhere where the copies are filed 'and hound. We will gladly answer any specific questions.

Commissions in the A.S.C., ALT.

[2896] (Paterfamilias).—There is no doubt that a man would be better off in the A.S.C., M.T., as a. Machinist-Sergeant than as a 2nd Lieutenant. You are probably aware that there are several hundreds of names on the " waiting list." for A.S.C., M.T., commissions ; moreover, the new rule applies that no new -commissions will now be given other than to men who have enlisted a-s rankers.. No direct commissions have been given. for several months. The pay of a 2nd Lieutenant in the A.S.C. is at the rate of 7s. 6d.,

plus 2s. a day. There is, of course, no separation allowance.

How are Motor-lorry Drivers and Mechanics Ex-. empted ? Value of Tribunals.

[2897] (Employer and six others).—The following points will concern the men about whom you inquire :— • (1) Under list A of the Reserved Occupations, circulated by the Local Government Board on the 19th November, all classes of mechanics are included—" Occupations required for production or transport of munitions ,suiiplied by the _Ministry of Munitions." (2) Under list D published on the same date, "Mechanics engaged in maintenance of tools and machinery (all trades)" are included. (3) The second list, published by the Local Government Board about the 29th November, includes " Public carriers of goods hy road, and carting contractors in connection with railways, docks, wharves, and warehouses—carters, lorrymen and draymen."

(4) Under the third D list, issued by the Local Government Board after the C.M.U.A. Deputation had been received, and published on the 20th December, " Carters, lorrymen and draymen (horse or power) not engaged in delivering to private houses" are exempted. It is entirely a matter'of personal choice whether a man, who is undoubtedly in one of these categories, attests. The. Government has asked that all such men should attest, and we-think that this is the better course. A man then leaves the settlement of his duty in the hands of an impartial committee of his own fellow-townsmen, with a right to appeal. The Editor has himself attested for this reason—to lea,sve it to a disinterested panel to say whether he is or is not " indispensable " and " essential " to the country in his present capacity. Whilst a man can be held to you under the foregoing exemptions, against active service in the Army, he cannot oe held, we fear, against any direct demand from the Ministry of kunitions for service on munitions work.

Limits of Our Comforts Fund.

[2898] (Mrs. —).—Our Fund does not deal with the men of the Machine-gun Corps, but only with the men of the A.S.C., M.T., who are attached to that Corps. If you will read our announcement again, we trust this will be clear to you. We are sorry that we cannot extend the scope of this Fund ; we are already responsible for sending comforts to upwards of 70,000 officers and men in various parts of the world. Had we been entitled to send comforts to the Machine-gun Corps, per re, we should certainly have been ready to make a response to your letter of the kind for which you no doubt hoped.

Which Make of Five ?

[2899] (Cheshire).—The five makes which you mention are about equally good, arid you should certainly not refuse to take delivery of a Lacre chassis on account of its having a chain drive. That type of final drive is very successful. it is desirable in present circumstances to give preference to an English make, which is another argument in favour of the Lacre. We group the Swiss Berna and the StrakerSquire as equal, with the two American makes not

far behind. There is, in fact, little to choose between the five makes which are submitted, and delivery-unless prices are divergent—may well he accepted as the determining factor.


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