Aggressive Export Policy Needed
Page 60
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
VUE have noticed in our newspaper Natal Mercury that certain bankers of Britain are complaining bitterly of, and warning industrialists about, the loss of trade abroad. Mention is made of the fact that Britain is also losing business in the sterling areas.
As users of a large number of British vehicles and engines, we feel it encumbent upon us to warn you and give you what, in our opinion, are some of the reasons for this loss of trade. Mention is made of the fact that Germany and Japan are capturing British trade. None is made, however, as to why this trade is being lost to Britain.
Here, in Natal, large numbers of German motor trucks are now being absorbed. Every German truck sold here meats one less British vehicle going into service. Up to two years ago, few or no German makes were available. These trucks are no better than, and we doubt if they are as good as, similar British vehicles. The question of price is also not the reason for this loss of business. Invariably, the German trucks are selling at higher prices.
The reason, therefore, appears to be a lack of interest by British manufacturers in an aggressive sales policy. The Germans are doing everything in their power to push sales and unless your people are going to do likewise you will continue to lose business. This is regrettable. We who know British vehicles are more than satisfied with their performance.
H. A. LOWE, Managing Director,
Natal Timbers, (Pty.) Ltd. Durban, South Africa.
• Yellow Lights for Fog ?
HAVE read a report that experiments made by the I Road Research Laboratory have shown that the claim of greater visibility in fog by the use of a yellow headlight beam is "definitely disproved."
I do not know how authentic this report may be, nor do I know Whether it refers to the virtue of a yellow -beam in its ability or otherwise to assist the driver behind it or the driver in front of it.
Speaking with experience of 20 years at sea, the early years being when sailing ships were an inspiring and beautiful commonplace, we were quite unanimous that the yelinw light of their paraffin lamps could be spotted in fog before the white electric light of the steamers. I am certainly not biased, when motoring in fog today, in feeling happier behind a cadmium-yellow beam from the standpoint of ooth seeing and being seen. Wherefore, anyway, the popularity of sodium-discharge lamps for street lighting?
F. JEvEs, Cmdr. R.D.R.N.R., London, &E.1. Master Mariner, M.I.R.T.E, J. Sainsbury, Ltd.
Less Parking, More Speed
INyour issue dated January 22, you summarized a paper I gave recently to the Institute of Road Transport Engineers and included the following statement:—
" Restrictions placed on parking in certain areas had resulted in the speeding-up of traffic flow to the extent of 2.5 per cent. in Central London and 3.8 per cent. in the suburbs."
It was, perhaps, not made sufficiently clear in the paper that the figures of 2.5 and 3.8 are the rates at which speed increased as parking decreased. The units used were m.p.h. per 100 vehicles per mile parked. The observed changes in speed were 9 per cent. and 3 per cent. respect ive I y.
G. CHARLESWORTH,
Road Research Laboratory.
• Harmondsworth, Middx.
Appreciation from P.D.S.A.
IWAS most pleased to see in your issue dated WAS
22, the letter from "Enthusiast." This referred to the article entitled "21 P.D.S.A. Vehicles treat 160,000 Animals a Year," in your issue of December 25, and included a suggestion that the Dispensary should be given assistance by readers of your journal.
Your correspondent's idea is a generous one and I know that our Society would be very grateful for any donations which your readers might be disposed to send us towards the maintenance of our fleet or the acquisition of a new vehicle. I would also add that I greatly appreciate the editor's footnote; many thanks for the kind thought.
A. BARRETT BRAM:REIM, Press Officer, The People's Dispensary for Sick Animals. London, W.I.