News of the Week
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CHANGES IN BASIS OF VEHICLE TAXATION
IN the House of Commons last week, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir John Anderson, made his long-awaited statement on a revised system of taxing motor vehicles. As commercial vehicles are not taxed on h.p . the Chancellor's decision to base the tax on engine capacity will not affect operators, except in the case of privatehire cars running without hackney carriage plates.
With regard to passenger and goods vehicles, the Chancellor has decided to revise the scale of taxation by steps of one seat in the case of p.s.v.s and by 1-ton in the case of goods vehicles. This matter is dealt with in an editorial in this issue.
It is probable that January 1, 1946, will be the date on which effect will be given to these revisions.
THE CONTROL OF PISTONS AND LINERS
AN announcement by the M.O.S., tl.Branch T.T.3, is to the effect that, as from January I, compulsory certificate procedure, as it affects all pistons ordered for civilian use, will he discontinued. Manufacturers may, however, at their discretion, continue to demand certificates of consumption or of need in respect of any piston types in short supply.
Relaxation of control does not mean that piston stocks may now be freely purchased by traders or operators; any. firm (other than M.O.S. accredited stockists) wishing to acquire a stock • of pistons must apply to Piston and Liner Control for prior approval. Certificate procedure in respect of cylinder liners remains unaltered.
HEADLIGHT MASKS NO LONGER NECESSARY
IN view of the need for speeding up Service vehicles -at night, they are now to run with unmasked headlights. In view of this, the Minister of Home Security has stated that all road vehicles may now operate without . headlight masks.
This recent relaxation on lighting restrictions means that, so far as motor vehicles are concerned, normal conditions now obtain. Reasonable precautions must, however, be taken against causing unnecessary dazzle.
ISLANDERS PROTEST AGAINST HIGH TRANSPORT CHARGES
rOMPLAINTS that transport
charges to the Outer Hebrides are excessive and are limiting the use of lime and other materials, have been made by islanders, who have asked that lqcal resources be developed to eliminate transport costs.
The Scottish Department of Agricutture has agreed to assist by developing such lime deposits as are available in the Western Islands, thereby cutting out much freightage. The Secretary of State for Scotland has investigated the charges that freights are excessive, and was given examples by Major McCullutn, M.P. for the Argyllshire area.
The whole.question is bound up with the general problem of road plus sea transport which is involved in this area of Scotland and with the fact-that the main services are limited to a small number of operators.
I.M.T. WAKEFIELD ESSAY MEDAL are informed that the Institute of the Motor Trade, 201, Great Portland Street, London, W.1, is to award the 1944 Wakefield Gold Medal to the author of the hest paper, not exceeding 1,500 words, on the subject of "The Value of I.M.T. Membership to the Industry and the Public." All classes of the membership are eligible to compete, and only one entry may be submitted by each competitor. The closing date for receiving entries is January 31. A competitor's name must not appear on his paper, but on an attached slip. THANKS FOR CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR GREETINGS WJE have received, in various forms VV such as letters, cards, and calendars, a large number of greetings for Christmas and the New Year, for Which we express our sincere thanks and heartily reciprocate the good wishes of the senders. Wherever possible, we have sent written replies, but if any have been unintentionally missed, we shall be glad if they will accept this general acknowledgment. We would like to add that it is most pleasant and satisfactory to the Editor and his staff to feel that once a person becomes a regular reader of " The Commercial Motor" he develops into a friend, and even our critics seem to enjoy perusing the journal.
Many of our pm-war readers are now in the Services, and some find it difficult to obtain the paper, although the scheme by which certain of our readers send on their copies to particular members of the Forces is working well and growing.
A number of airgraphs has also been received. BIG INCREASE IN S.M.T. NET PROFIT
CCOUNTS of the Scottish Motor P./ Traction Co., Ltd., for the year ended October' 31 last, show a profit, after meeting all charges, including depreciation, of £870,687, against £768,310 a year earlier, whilst dividends and interest produced £390,091 and transfer fees £118, making, in all £1,266,896, compared with £1,165,459
in the preceding 12 months, After deducting a provision for income tax and E.P.T. of £926,068, etc., the net profit comes out at £338,315, contrasted with £199,173 in the previous year.. The directors have allocated £26,500 to deferred renewals reserve, written £20,000 off goodwill, and placed
£120,000 to general reserve. After meeting the preference dividend they now recommend the payment of a dividend of 131 per cent., tax free, on the ordinary stock, leaving £29,680 to be carried forward, compared with £24,493 brought in.
BLACKPOOL'S POST-WAR COACH-PARKING PROBLEM
A SUGGESTION that a large site at 1-1 Squires Gate, Blackpool, should be used as a huge passenger-transport depot for the Fylde was made last week. "There will be a big boom in road transport," said a. prominent townsman, "and, hitherto, the problem of parking motor coaches has been serious and apparently insoluble. It is likely to be more so after the war. Blackpool and other coast towns will be Wand to tackle the problem. The site would accommodate hundreds of motor coaches and cars, and there could be loading platforms, service departments, restaurants, refreshment room, and other conveniences. It will provide a solution for what is going to be one of Blackpool's biggest problems "
HEAVY FINES ON DRIVER FOR THEFT OF FOOD
FLNES totalling £140, with five guineas costs, were imposed at Huddersfield, last week, on a motor driver who pleaded " Guilty " to four charges of stealing food in transit and three charges of selling food without a licence. It was stated that defendant, while employed by agents of the Ministry of Food, stole lard and margarine, which he sold to various tradesmen. Hitherto he had had an irreproachable character.
Defendant was allowed six months in which to pay the fines, with the alternative of going to prison.
GIRL ENGINEER FOR "MISS BRITAIN" IN AMERICA?
TT is quite possible that the next I " Miss Britain " to represent this country in America may be a girl' engineer. This follows the decision of the' MOP. to allow female, as well as male, employees of engineering firms in the Midlands to compete for the Travelling Scholarships offered by the Birmingham Quality Control Panel.
This Panel is comprised of wellknovin scientists and statisticians co-operating, with practical works managers. It will award the author of the best essay on Statistical Quality Control a three-months' tour of America to study the latest machine tools and methods of production and inspection. Statistical Quality Control is the new engineering inspection science, which, by eliminating scrap and raising the standard of precision production, is exercising a tremendous value in the war effort and should prove an important factor in securing our postwar overseas markets.
" RIBBLE " RETIREMENT MARKED BY PRESENTATION
PrHE occasion of the retirement of
Major H. E. Hickmott from the managing directorship of Ribble Motor Services, Ltd., as from December 31 next, was marked by a farewell dinner given at Garstang on December 20. Major Hickmott was the guest of the managers of various company-owned road passenger-transport undertakings in the north of England, when Mr. E. H. Edwardes, managing director, Lancashire United Transport and Power Co., Ltd., presented him with a silver tureen.
Major Hickmott has been managing director of the Ribble concern for over 25 years, and although he is now retiring from that position, he will still remain a director of the company.
DRAPERS SUFFER BIG LOSSES OF GOODS IN TRANSIT
CONCERN at the alarming increase in the theft of goods in transit during recent weeks has led the Council of the Scottish Retail Drapers' Association to make representations to the Ministry of War Transport on the subject, suggesting that stringent measures should be taken now to safeguard the interests of traders and the public.
The Council states that, in one week, the losses of one member of the trade .amounted to 25 per cent. of the goods sent -to him during the period. The increase in thefts has occurred despite the close co-operation between manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers, to ensure quick reports of pilfered and missing packages.
PERSONAL PAR
MR. F. PICKWORTH, F.C.I.S., has been appointed managing director of the English Steel Corporation, Ltd., and its subsidiaries, the Darlington Forge, Ltd., and Industrial Steels, Ltd. MR. F. S. BEALE, A.C.I.S., at present assistant secretary; has been appointed secretary..
OBITUARY
MR. HENRY. EASTWO011), J.P., who died at Preston on December 20, was a director of H. Viney Co., the wellknown Preston haulage concern, and of Lancashire Petrol Distributors, M. \VILT.TANI HARPER, of Charley, a a partner in Messrs. P. and W: Harper, haulage contractors, and a director of P; and W. Harper (London), Ltd.-, died on December 20.
PASSING OF THE SCOTTISH C.M.U.A.
AT a luncheon held in Edinburgh, on December 20, to mark, the passing of the S.C.M.U.A , now part of the new National Road Transport Federation, Sir John Macdonald, chairman, said that the organization was formed. in 1921 and had gone through difficult times since then. In Scotland they had succeeded in co-ordinating the whole of the haulage industry and had merged six associations into one body; they were now equally enthusiastic in entering the new Federation. He paid tribute to the work of Mr. John W. London, secretary of the Association.
A letter from Mr. A. Henderson, Transport Commissioner for Scotland, was read, in which he said that the S.C.M.U.A. had responded to every call made upon it. Major R. A. B. Smith, President of the t.M,U.A., said that united effort was essential.. 'The new Federation might take as its motto Service, Security and Progress."
MUNICIPAL MANAGER'S TRIBUTE TO TRANSPORT EMPLOYEES
T AST week, Mr. W. Lod, transport La manager of Blackpool Corporation, eulogized the services of the transport staff during the war-time emergency when he presented cheques to five retiring transport employees. Cheques from the Employees' Presentation Fund went to Mr. J. B. Fletcher (40 years' service); Mr. R. E. Wright (24 years); Mr. T. Tyson (18 years); Mr. W. H. Morris (26 years), and Mr. J. Cunene (19 years). Mr. J. Parkinson, traffic superintendent, said that the fund was formed in 1938 by employees payine° a penny a week. There were now 770 members. The sum contributed was £1,000, and 86 people bad had £530 paid to them.
TALK ON MOTORWAYS BEFORE LONDON •I.T.A.
London Branch of the Indus191-2a1 Transport Association is to hold a meeting on January 13, 1945, at 2.15 p.m., at the Institution of Automobile Engineers, 12, Hobart Place, S.W.1, when the speaker will be Mr, Boyd Bowman, M.A., who will talk
on the subject of Motorways for Britain."
Those who intend to be present should notify the London Branch secretary, Mr. A, W Ferguson, 12, Hyde Park Avenue, Winchmore Hill, London, N.2I.
INDIA TYRE ORCHESTRA MAKES BROADCAST
THEIndia Tyre Orchestra was honoured by being selected to represent Scotland in a world-wide broadcast made last Wednesday
The orchestra is composed of 22 instrumentalists drawn from the employees of India Tyre and Rubber Co., Ltd., and was formed with the object of providing concerts to raise money for charities, Thus, even after ' their daily work, the orchestra is not too " tired " to perform a public service. RIVETING WROUGHT ALUMINIUM ALLOYS
AUSEFUL information bulletin (No. 8), " Riveting of Wrought Aluminium Alloys," has been published by Wrought Light Alloys Development Association, Union Chambers, 63, Temple Row, Birmingham, 2, at Is. ' It points out in the foreword that, despite recent developments in joining techniques, riveting remains the principal method of joining aluminium alloy sheet, and this practical booklet of 48 pages reviews for the first time, in a comprehensive manner, riveting
practice in this field. After a discussion on the .correct choice of rivet alloys, identification of rivets and types covered by B.S.641, 1935, and by the Society of British Aircraft Constructors are described, Attention is paid to rivets for special purposes, and a section devoted to automatic riveting practice. There are also chapters on inspection and mechanical testing; heat treatment is discussed in an appendix, and a bibliography of literature relating to the riveting of light-alloy assemblies is included. INSURANCE FOR GROUP SCHEME VEHICLES UNCHANGED
THE arrangements by which insurers of goods vehicles cover vehicles while they are used within a group scheme, despite the removal of certain restrictions on A, B and C licences under the Emergency Powers (Road Vehicles and Drivers) Order, 1939, have been extended until March 31, 1945, They cover normal work for the 11,0.W.T. Road Haulage Organization, civil defence work, and use which could be put on a non-emergency footing.