M.P.S URGED TO PRESS FOR LOWER TAXATION.
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Iti accordance with a recent decision, the transport section of Bradford Chamber of Trade is seeking interviews ith the Bradford Members of Parliament, to urge upon them the need for a reduction in taxation. Last Saturday a deputation from the section was received by Sir Eugene Ramsden, MI'. for Bradford North.
The deputation was headed by Mr. Charles Holdsworth (chairman) and Mr. Harold Goodwin (vice-chairman). Mr. Fred Pickering (hon. secretary of the chamber), was also present. One point made by the deputation was that the tax on commercial vehicles should he reduced to the same extent as the taxation on motorcars.
The Transfer of Petroleum Spirit Licences.
A Bill has 'been introduced to enable a licensing authority which is ernpowered under the Petroleum (Con
solidation) Act, 1928, to , grant petroleum-spirit licences to transfer such a licence granted by it, by erdorsement of the licence or other wise. It is also intended that the Secretary of State may transfer, in like manner, a licence granted by him. The fee suggested is 2s. 6(3.
Higher Profit of S.M.T.
In the year ended October 31, 1935, the Scottish Motor Traction Co., Ltd., made a profit of £178,309, compared with £163,789 in the previous year. A dividend of 10 per cent, is being paid on the ordinary shares, whilst the coiltingency reserve receives £20,609 and the general reserve £37,000. The amount to be carried forward is £63,877, compared with £60,081 brought into the account.
The company has a working agreement with the London, Midland and Scottish, and London and North Eastern Railway companies, which have a big holding in the company and a re represented on the board.
Italians Use British Lorries in Abyssinia.
A considerable number of British lorries is in use with the Italian armies on the northern front in Abyssinia, says a message from Asmara, on Monday. Out of 5,000 lorries at the disposal of the transport command under General Da.Thora, 500 are of foreign (mostly American or British) origin.
Ot the much larger number of lorries owned by civilian companies'or private individuals working under contract xvith the military authorities, a big proportion is of British, American, or other foreign makes.
There are also not a few British subjects driving vehicles for the Italian Government in Eritrea. They are native owners of lorries who have come from the Sudan, lured by the huge profits, fabled at up to £30 a day, which can be earned by men driving their own lorries with military loads along the tortuous dust tracks of Eritrea. MULTIWHEELERS MOVING TO HARROW.
We are able to make the announcement that the working capital of Multiwheelers (Commercial Vehicles), Ltd., 3, Grosvenor Gardens, London, has been increased and a change made in the directorate. Mr. Sydney E. Smith, 0.B.E., has been appointed chairman of the company, and Mr. George Machray will become joint managing director, with Major Hooghwinkel. Mr. Haymer Russell has retired.
The company has acquired the premises formerly occupied by the Harrow Industrial Co., Ltd., known as Green Lane Works, Stanley Road, South Harrow. Here it will manufacture the new British Multiwheeler machines. A full description and road-test report of one model appeared in The Commercial Motor dated October 4 last.
Exeter Chamber Favours Nationalization.
Exeter Chamber of Commerce, at its December meeting, had under consideration the road and rail traffic regulations. It was resolved to report to the Association of British Chambers of Commerce that the Exeter Chamber was of opinion that some limited restriction should be imposed on all road transport, and to submit a suggestion that rail and road transport should be worked by a national board.
New A.E.C. Literature.
We have received from the Associated Equipment Co., Ltd., Southall, Middlesex, a 'set of brochures describing its diverse products. There are 13 brochures containing from four to 24 pages dealing with A.E.C. goods and passenger vehicles, including trolleybuses. Three snore cover the range of vehicle petrol and oil engines, and a further two the industrial and marine power units. There are two on iailears, and, in addition, data sheets and price lists. By no means the least interesting is a lull description of the concern's eight-wheeled Overseas tractor, whilst mention should be made of the leaflets which refer exclusively to tippets, tankers and tractive units.
System of Paying Drivers Criticized by Magistrates.
The Chichester magistrates strongly criticized the conditions under which a Croydon firm employed their lorry drivers, and, after imposing a small fine on a driver who admitted exceeding the 20 m.p.h. limit, expressed the wish that they could make the owners of the vehicle pay the fine, instead of the driver. The driver said that he earned 10s. 6d. a week, plus " what he could make."
That system, explained Superintendent Brett, deputy chief constable, meant that the driver received a small weekly wage, together with 2d. a mile. It was a system that was causing the men to exceed the speed limit and was an attempt to throw the responsibility of the owners on to the Men as regards hours of work and wages.