News of the Week
Page 16
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GOVERNMENT HAULAGE SCHEME AND _HIRE CHARGES A SUB-COMMITTEE of the S.M.M.
and T. was appointed, on February 16, to approach the M.O.W.T. concerning the effect of the Government Haulage clierrre on hire-purchase finance interests. Its report on March 3 stated that certain aspects 'of the Scheme would be gravely prejudicial to the continuation of hire-purchase facilities and to security for existing commitments.
.At a further meeting of the section committee on April 2, there was approved for submission to the Minister a Memorandum setting out a number of provisions which he was requested to make for the protection of the companies concerned, and the sub-committee was authorized to carry the negotiations to a conclusion.
AGE LIMIT LOWERED FOR TRACTOR DRIVERS
A NEW Defence Regulation permits PA drivers between 17 and 21 years of age to driveagricultural tractors on roads, without the existing limitations of destination. Hitherto, the minimum age limit of 21 for tractor drivers has been relaxed only for the driving of agricultural tractors in connection with the internal operations of a farm and
between farm and farm. .
Following the Chancellor of the Exchequer's announcement on March 18 that farm tractors licensed at the nominal rate of 5s. may be used more extensively for agricultural haulage on rbads, • Section 9 of the Road Traffic Act, 1980, which prescribes drivers' age limits, has been amended to suspend for the duration of the Wgr the age limit of 21 for drivers of " tractors used primarily for work on land in connection with agriculture." This will enable farmers whose tractor drivers are between 17 and 21 years of age to use tractors on the road for the incidental agricultural hauls now permitted at _the nominal taxation rate.
These concessions, which are purely temporary war measures, have been made to facilitate the urgent efforts to increase home-food production.
H.M.F. PUTS ITS CASE TO NOTTS HAULIERS
ADVANTAGES of the newly formed.
.MHauliers' Mutual Federation were stressed to hauliers at ameeting held last week in Nottingham. Mr. F. Lucas, chairman of the Federation, who presided, referred to the general apathy throughout the haulage industry, brought about largely by the acquiescent policy of the associations to which hauliers belonged, which had led to a lack of unity among members. They were tired of this policy, he said, but if they were to stop it, it was necessary that they should have a representative organization to look after their interests. The new organization was a national one with a national policy which was really needed. The movement was one that allowed hauliers to get together under a grouping sysfem, thus enabling a strong body to be built up.
Mr. H. Scott.Hall explained the constitution of the new organization and Said that"tnost haulage men' in this country were small operators; with one or two vehicles, whose interests they were particularly out to protect: He contended that there were two forces at work tending to 'take from the small haulier his individuality by " trustification." (the linking up of small concerns into conibines) and by' Government control. These tWo'dangers could not be underestimated, and if they Were to be taught there wag need for a live Organization in which apathy had no
place. .
DENNIS MAINTAINS 331 PER' CENT. INTERIM DIVIDEND
TN respect of the current year, Dennis I Bros., Ltd., announces an interim dividend of 4d. per is. share, less tax. This equals 34 per cent., which is the rate consistently declared for many years past.
TYRE ECONOMY EXHIBITION TO CONTINUE QO much interest has been aroused by
the Tyre Economy Exhibition, organized by the Ministries of Supply and War Transportothat it will be con.tinned until the end of May. Applications for tickets should be made to Mr. R. H. Lubbock, Secretary, Tyre Economy Exhibition, Room 414, Berkeley Court, Baker Street, London, NAVA. Sessions .are:-10.30-11.30 a.m., and 3-4 p.m.; evenings, Saturdays and Sundays by arrangement
LIMITATIONS ON FUEL DELIVERY
FROM the dates given, certain coupons in denominations of „50 units and over for motorspirit will be valid for only direct bulk deliveries from the Petroleum Board. F, G, E (P.H.) from May 1, and W, X, Y. Z from June 1. After these dates, dealers may not supply against any such coupons on which this condition is printed on the back or over-stamped.
Consumers who buy their supplies from dealers can obtain coupons in suitable denominations by specifying itohreir smr.equirements on their application
THE LATEST IN GOVERNMENT HAULAGE
THE number of controlled undertakings in the Government Scheme was, up to April 22, 224, and there were 193 units in operation. It is expected that there will be no fewer than 220 of the latter in action by May 1. It is important that applications for hiring under the Ministry's Scheme should be submitted as early as possible in respect of all eligible vehicles. A closing date will be announced shortly. The form used is RIVR/1, obtainable from all sub-district offices. They must he filled up in duplicate and returned to the subdistrict offices, from which their fuel rations areobtained, and not sent directto the Ministry or R.T.C.s. For those wflo do not know the full conditions and terms of hiring, a document, RH/D/35, vil be available.
All controlled undertakings will cancel their present Conditions of Carriage. These will be replaced by the Ministry's Goods in Transit Conditions, which apply to everything, including parcels, with the exception of furniture removal and heavy haulage.