WHEELS OF INDUSTRY.
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"The wheel oj wealth will be slowed by all difficulties of transport at whatever points arising, as a carriage is by the roughness of the roads over watch it runs."—John Beattie Crozier.
French Tractor Trials.
Immediately after the agricultural 'motor tractor exhibition at the Tuileries, organized by the Charnbre Syndicale de la illotoculture public motor tractor trials will be held at Versailles-Recquencourt from March 10th to 14th.
Up to the present the following entries have been received :—Agricultural, Excelsior, Cleveland, Fiat, Oliver, Rep, Globe, Case, Ciama, Sexton, Gauloas, Fordson, Nilson, Beeman, Agro, Huber, La Crosse, Runely, Pidwell, National, Austin, Parrett, American Tractor, Praga, MacCormick, John Deere. Americo, Moline, Maesey-Harris, Emerson.
Ensuring the Future of Overseas Trade,
The Department of Overseas Trade is constantly bringing to the notice of United Kingdom manufacturers the necessity of appointing suitable agents in overseas markets if our trade in these markets is to be established and maintained. Due, no doubt, to the fact that they are overwhelmed with orders and cannot guarantee delivery within a reasonable time, many firms have shown a tendency to neglect the opportunities offered for appointing reliable agents. Commenting on this tendency, His Majesty's Trade Commissioner in Winnipeg states that the difficulties of the position in some industriessare fully understood by importers and prospective atents„ who are, however, still very anxious to open negotiations, even though deliveries at present may not _be possible. Any hesitancy on the part of United Kingdom manufacturers might he taken as an indication that Canadian business is not desired.
British manufacturers will need to make mere strenuous efforts than heretofore to obtain a substantial share of Western Canada's trade. This applies particularly to machinery of all kinds, including farm machinery, electrical equipment for power and lighting, engines (stationary and portable), motor vehicles, etc.
More Oil.
According to Reuter President Wilson has signed the Oil Lan-d Leasing Bill, which opens up some millions of acres of land in the western parts of the United States for development of the oil resources of that country.
The Straphangers' Protest.
At the dinner given by the Aldwych Club in London last week, Lord Ashfield of the Underground and the bus services, who was one of the two guests of the evening, was presented with a silver model of a straphanger in the act of straphanging, the presentation being made by a deputation of stacalled straphangers suitably attired and provided with the properties appropriate to their profession. Lord Ash-field was mightily amused, and it is assumed that he was early at his office next morning taking steps to reduce the nuisance.
Large users of petrol are unable to get from the distributing 'companiea any Quotations beyond June.
Don't forget the side lights! Headlamps and the tail light are not sufficient, as the headlamps do not show the extreme width of the vehicle. In some parts of the country the police are particularly active against offenders.
The report of the committee appointed under the Profiteering Act to inquire into profits on petrol is expected to be issued about the time when this issue of The Commercial Rotor comes on sale. We believe that, in addition to the main report, there will be a minority report.
More Benzole from Gas.
A Bill is .before the House of Lords, promoted by the South Metropolitan. Gas Co.' for the purpose of obtaining powers for the alteration of the existing method of charge to _consumers of gas.. With the object of compelling the company to produce "the largest possible amount of benzole or motor spirit by the gasification of coal" a petition has been presented on behalf of motoring organizations (among which is the Commercial Motor Users Association) and the trade. The use of benzole as a motor fuelli is to-day restricted only by the shortness of supplies. It is estimated that from the gasworks of the country alone over 30,000,000 gallons of motor fuel could be produced annually, whereas the output therefrom at December last had fallen to 3,500,000 gallons. The production from the coke-oven works in 1914 was 21,800,000 gallons.
Motorbuses for Nottingham District.
In the course of a Government enquiry which has recently been in progress for many days at Nottingham, regarding the Corporation's scheme of wide municipal extension, there has been necessarily strong divergence of opinion as to the justice of including within the city area outlying townships which it is proposed to annex: • There has been, however, a very striking unanimity of view as to the undesirableness of providing for further tramway traction.
The proposals of the City Council, although not forming an integral part of the annexation project, contemplate an extension of the existing tramway lines to Beeston and Chilwell on the one side and on the other to Hacknall Torkaxd It is now being /suggested on all sides that the convenience of the public will be infinitely better served by the provision upon these and other routes of wellequipped motorbuees.
One of the most striking objections was raised at the recent enquiry by Mr. H. H. Hayes chief engineer of Messrs. Ericsson's large telephone works at Beeston, who declared as a technical man that the time for tramways had gone by by a quarter of a century.
In face of such undeniable testimony and the strong growth of public opinion locally in regard to the matter, it is problematical whether the Nottingham Corporation can persist in a policy which is not in consonance with modern developments.
• , Antwerp Exhibition.
Further to our brief paragraph in last week's issue concerning the exhibition of commercial vehicles which will be held during thd Olympic Games, we now learn that British motor manufacturers who are desirous of being represented at this international assemblage should make application before March 8th to the Direction of Concession for Great Britain, Mr. J. Benham, 303, High Holborn, London, W.C. 1.