Virile War-time Efforts of The Tractor Users Association
Page 48
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Helping the National Foodproduction Plans and Seeking to Remove Restrictions Which Hamper the User of Tractors
WITH a view to aiding the Minister VT of Agriculture and County War Agricultural Committees in their food-production plans, the Tractor Users Association is encouraging the formation of County Branches.
It is felt by the Association that contractors especially can render much greater service if the County War Committees can deal with a representative body of tractor users in the county. The ploughing-up effort, the food-production policy in general, and the use of Government tractors have given rise to a number of special problems affecting contractors.
A Co-ordinated Policy These questions, it is intended, shall be dealt with by the County Branches for a county, and by the Council of the Association nationally, so that a settled, co-ordinated policy may be arrived at.
The most recently formed County Branch is in Devonshire. A meeting is to be held at an early date to set• up a Branch in Buckinghamshire. Branches in Warwickshire and Worcestershire have already made contact with their County Committees, and arrangements afe being arrived at concerning the use of con
tractors' machines and Government tractors.
Comprehensive proposals providing for an increase in the number of tractors available, their economic distriEntion, use and full manning, have been drawn up by the Council of the Association and are now under the consideration of the Minister of Agriculture.
The Association's representations have already been effective in securing the removal of the age limit of 21 years for tractor drivers when travelling on the road from one farm to another. Another concession, for which the Association, had long been pressing, allows a tractor with a 5s. licence to be used by its owner to haul his farm produce, or requisites for his farm, to and from the nearest station.
More Hampering Restrictions
There are, however, still restrictions preventing or hindering the fullest use of tractors which the Association holds to be unnecessary in war-time. They include those which require a £12 licence for, and place fuel restrictions on, a 'tractor hauling a trailer bearing another tractor from one farm to another, and .prevent driver under 21 years of age from using the road to haul produce between farm and station, or store or mill.
These limitations the Association is working to have remoifed, and it invites all tractor users who desire to help its efforts to become members. Particulars can The obtained from the secretary at 2, Chesham place, London, S. W .1.