News of the Week
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GOVERNMENT HAULAGE SCHEME ' BEGINS OPERATIONS
CAA LIST of 51 road haulage units, which began operations on March 1 in connection with the new Government Scheme for long-distance haulage, has been sent to us by the M. of W.T. It will, of course, be understood that the number of units does not indicate the number of controlled undertakings, as several units may belong to one or
other of the latter. The important point is that an actual start-has been made.
" C.M." WAGES TABLES NOW AVAILABLE
fiANY of our readers have already alapplied for the latest edition of "The Commercial Motor" Wages Scales for Road Transport Employees. This publication is now ready at lase Id, including postage. The scales cover the wages of drivers and other • road-haulage workers engaged on petrol, oil, producer-gas, gas, electric and (except in‘London) steam vehicles and tractors ranging from 5 cwt. to 8 tons capacity.
CLEARING HOUSES DEPUTATION TO THE MINISTRY
ON February 24 a deputation from the Nalional Conference of Road Transport Clearing Houses was received by Mr. P. J. Noel-Baker, M.P., Parliamentary Secretary to the M. of W.X., and Sir Cyril Hurcomb, DirectorGeneral of the Ministry, the subject being the use of the services of road. transport clearinghouses in the new Government Scheme. The leaders were Capt. NV. F.. Striekland, M.P. for Coventry, and Sir John Mellor, Bart., M.P. for Tamwarth. Other members were:—Messrs. W. H. Gaimt, C.B.E., H. R. CaulfieldzGiles, Frank Fowler, S. Brown, John Cleo, 0. N. Oxley, W. Whiteley, •F. C. G. Mills and Boyd Bowman (secretary).
DISSATISFACTION WITH GOVERNMENT HAULAGE SCHEME
AT a meeting held in London on February 25, dissatisfaction with the Government Scheme for controlling long-distance road transport was expressed in a resolution agreed by the S.J.C.
It is stated that the Scheme will not achieve its objects and will reduce the efficiency of the indusfry.
The M. of W.T. has been discussing details with the S.J.C., but, so far, the talks have been mainly on the terms to be offered to controlled undertakings. Almost ail the concerns which had already been asked by the Ministry to become controlled undertakings were represented, and, on a separate vote, they passed, by a substantial majority, a resolution identical in terms to that agreed by the S.J.C. The resolutions stated that the proposed agreement cannot be signed in its present form, and asked that, with the assistance of M.P.s, an approach be made to Lord Leathers in an endeavour to secure the necessary amendments and to see that the whole financial arrangements; both with controlled undertakings and in respect of hired vehicles, be settled satisfactorily before any operator is asked to sign.
H.M.F. TO MEET AT MAIDSTONE
THE new association, Hauliers' Mutual Federation, has arranged a meeting to be held on March 10 at the Star Hotel, Maidstone, cdmmencing at 2.30 p.m.
A FUND FOR SONS. OF ENGINEERS THIS is an engineers' war writes Field-Marshal Sir John Dill, and he asks us to bring to the notice of our readers -the Cheltenham College fund for Sons of Engineers, which is registered under the War Charitia" Act, for educating at that College the sons of engineers who have lost their lives as a direct result of the war, whether they be in the Services or civilians. Any contributions would be welcomed.
PERSONAL JARS
MR. F. J. SPEIGHT, A.M.INST.T., secretary, George Ewer and Co., Ltd., has been elected to the Council of the, Institute. of Transport, where he will fill the casual vacancy caused by the resignation of Mr. H. W. Elliott.
MR. A, W. LEATH, divisional rolling stock engineer (trams and trolleybuses), retires from the service of the London Passenger Transport Board on March 13, and MR. J. SCHOFIELD hal been appointed as his successor, with the same title.
MR. H. Burns, of South Shields, who has been employed by the Northern General Transport Co., Ltd., for 21 years has been appointed Area 8 Passenger Trade Group Secretary of the Transport and General Workers' Union. He has, for many years, taken a leading part in Union affairs, and for 18 years he has been secretary of the , Northern" and associated companies.jaint committee. Area 8 includes', the northern counties and part of North Yorkshire, MR. 'T. V. READ, F.I.T.A., has been appointed Controller of Transport andSupplies to The Soft Drinks Industry (War Time) Association, Ltd.; 42, Upper Grosvenor Street, London, W.1, which was recently constituted. Mr. Read vas formerly Assistant Director of Warehousing and Transport for the Ministry of Food, and before that was with the Unilever Group, also for a time a divisional organizer for the C.M.U.A1 Another . of his. activities was as a consult-shit on transport, warehousing and staff training for a number of well-known concerns,
ROAD TRANSPORT ASKED TO SIGN' BLANK CHEQUE
AT a well-attended meeting of the South Wales Area, A..R.O.„ . at Cardiff, on February 23, 14. R. W. Sewill said that the M. of W.T. is asking .the road-haulage industry to sign a blank cheque. Were it to do so it would, at the same time, sign its own death warrant. Many controlled 'undertakings hadreceived the draft agreement only a week ago, accompanied by the usual mass of .official documents, and were asked to sign by February 27, thus virtually handing over the whole of their businesses to the Ministry.
Details of the scheme so far known concerned . only certain picked undeP
takings. These are being asked to sign without any knoWledge of what their smaller brethren are to receive by way of remuneration for their hired vehicles, which puts both the selected undertakings and the rest . of the industry in an impossible position. He described the seleeted firms as the•
" first line of defence." They were being approached individually by the Ministry, in spite of insistence by the S.J.C, that the scheme must be considered and judged as a whole. "This is yet another attempt to impose bureaucratic control upon an industry which does not need it."
651 MORE BUSES IN TILLING GROUP ON PRODUCER GAS. • WE learn that it proposed to adapt
TV to producer gas, during the present . year, 651 more buses in the Tilling group of companies. The 107 vehicles already converted in this way have'run 2,500,000. miles and saved 415,000 gallons of itnported fuel.
LONDON H.G. TRANSPORT COLUMN NEEDS RECRUITS
BECAUSE of the raising of its establishment ceiling, the London District Transport Column, Flome.Guard, has recommenced ...recruiting and is open to , accept approved applicants for enrolment. The Column is trained on R.A.S.C. lines. Its Companies have headquarters and provide, training facilities in various parts of London. Vacancies exist for drivers, mechanics, tradesmen, etc. Inquiries and applications for enrolment should be made, without delay, to the Adjutant, London District .Transport Column (Home Gliard), Stratton House, Stratton Street, London, W.I.
LEARN WHAT AGRICULTURE IS DOING
erHE people of London and visitors I now have a fine opportunity of ascertaining the wonderful role that the agricultural worker is playing in the big developments now being made in farming. This is afforded by an exhibition, " Farming for Victory," at the Ford showrooms, 83, Regent Street, London, W.1. It is a most attractive display with pictures, models, diagrams, and an agricultural research section staged by the School of Agriculture. Cambridge. Films are also shown daily at 2.30 and 3.30 p.m. AIMS OF THE NORTH EASTERN ROAD GROUP
"T"Hri. road-transport body which arose 1 from the ashes, so to speak, of the now-defunct Leeds Area Committee of the former Hauliers' National Traffic Pool, has adopted the name North Eastern Road Group, instead of the Yorkshire Chamber of Haulage, as was originally suggested. The foundevmemhers include most of those who were members of the old Area Committee of the Pool, with several additions. A condition of admission of any further members is that unanimous approval most be given by founder-members. The terms setting forth the aims of the group provide that it shall concern itself generally with not only roadtransport . matters, on nbn-party and non-association lines, but thatrit shall be the medium of mutual help between the haulage operators with which memtiers of the group are associated. Such mutual help includes exchange of traffic where occasion arises Meetings of the group are held fortnightly in Leeds.
PRESENTATIONS FOR 'SERVICES TO TRANSPORT POOL
I N appreciation of services rendered to Port of 'Liverpool Road Transport Control, Ltd. (now in liquidation), during the period it functionedso slice cessfully (until its operators were superseded by the Ministry's Road Haulage Branch)., a series of presentations was made 'at a luncheon held in Liverpool, a few days ago. Mr. W. J. Harper, chairman of the Control directorate, presided, and presentations were made to Mr. G. J. Mullany, who was responsible for the management of the pool, to Mr. W. J. Harper, chairman, -and to Mr. W. J. Comes.
PAPER SALVAGE FROM OLD COLLECTIONS
FOR many years the majority of cigarette makers issued cards, and these must have amounted to hundreds of Millions. Many also supplied albums by the thcnpand, and it is probable that, in most cases, both have been retained. Now the boys have grown up, many are very likely abroad, and they would no doubt feel that all this paper, in cards and albums, could do great cleat to help in inunitions. So dig them out.
HELE-SHAW MEDAL FOR A.E.C. APPRENTICE
IE notable achievement of . A.E.C.. apprentice was revealed .last month when it was announced that • Mr. Robert Anthony Fryers had been awarded the 'I-Shaw prize and medal for 1942 bk the Council of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. This annual a_ward is the highest honour of the Institution' obtainable hy student and is given in recognition of outstanding industry aull merit during the -years. in which her has studied and . served his apprenticeship in mechanical engineering. Mr. Fryars began engineering.• apprenticeship in -July, 1937, and -completed it in z0 . May, 19,.. having, during that period served in seine 30. sections dl •the A.F..C. factory, including, latterly, those concerned with engine and chassis. assembly and testing, production control, laboratory and service work. He has also studied at the Southall Technical College, and in prerwar years, as part of the company's apprenticeship scheme, paid h number Of visits to other factories. He is now attached to the experimental departrrient. Not the least of the many features of the A.E.C. apprenticeship scheme is the comprehensive system of records which is kept relating to the acconv• pliShinents and tendencies of each . youth during the folk years he is gailiing .practical works knowle4ge and is being technically educated. The last year of his apprenticeship is devoted to specialization.
STANDARD CONDITIONS OF • CARRIAGE
THE sub-committee appointed • by the Scottish Carriers' and Haulage Contractors' Association to consider the problem of standard conditionsof carriage has agreed to recommend to the full board the standing conditions compiled by the Road and Rail Central Conference, as they have been distributed to all areas throughout Britain and may well become the basis.
WAGES FOR CANTEEN WORKERS
THERE has been a certain amount of criticism concerning the minimum wages and working conditions agreed between employers and the trade unions in respect of canteen Workers employed by industrial Catering concerns at essential works. The trade union side of the National Joint Industrial Council for the Industrial Catering Trade regards this as unwarranted and mischievous, and points out that even, the lowest wages compare favourably with those of many other industries.
C.M.U.A. MEETINGS PLANNED I/4 THE NORTH-WEST
THE following meetings have been arranged by the North Western Division of the Commercial Motor Users Association:—Sundays (all at 2.15 pm.): March 7, Bolton, Saddle Inn, Bradshawgate; March 14, Manchester, Ilouldsworth Hall, 90, Deansgate;. March 21, Stockport, Brookfield Hotel, Wellington Road South. Evenings (all at? p.m.): March 9, Macclesfield, Angel Hotel; March 11, Oldham, Greaxes Arms Hotel, Yorkshire Street; March -16, Wigan, Grand Hotel, Doming Street; 41arch 17, Chapel-enle-Frith,, King's *Arms Hotel, High Street.
ROOTES STAGE "WINGS FOR VICTORY" SHOW
A. FINE exhibition of paintings is /-1. being held in the Rootes showroonis at Devonshire House, Piccadilly, London, W:1, in conjunction with " Wings for Victory " week. It is entitled "The RAF.in Art," and depicts every facet of the R.A.F.'s activitie.s. It .Will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily; Sunday, 12 noon to 5 p.m., and will close on March 13.
HAULIER'S VIEW ON UNLOADING
. Emu, AT THE DOCKS • raNCERNING the instruction issued A...0 by the Liverpool Port Emergency Committee, permitting the ship-owner or agent to provide labour and appliances to assist the carman in unloading and shedding export traffic received by road vehicles, whenexpedite loading or improve working arrangements, to which reference was made in our issue for last week, a Liverpool haulage contractor points out that this des not fit in with the Ministry of War, Transport (Road Haulage Branch), Standard Conditions of Carriage (RH/D/22). Clause 10 reads as follows:—" Thecustomer will deliver the goods on to and the consignee will take delivery from the tailboard of the .vehicle. The Minister will be responsible for any loss.or cramage arising from the stowage or unstowa.ge df goods on the Vehicle: except where such stowage or unstowage.is perfdrmed by the customer or the consignee or his agent by reason of the special nature or his special knowledge of the goods or of any other circumstances in which the Minister cannot be expected to accept responsibility,"
UNITED SERVICE TRANSPORT TRADING RESULTS
I N the year ended September 30, 1942, United Service Transport Co., Ltd., made a profit of £11,957 compared with.: £22,917 in the previous year. Depreciation takes, £2,827-, and war-, damake premiums £1,109. An ordinary shares dividend of 8 per cent, is tci-be paid, .lealling the sum of £259 to 1.0 carried forward.
KEEPING AN EYE ON ROADTRANSPORT LAW OBSERVATIONS on the existing motor laws have been stated by the Road Transport Section of the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce to the Associated Chambers of Commerce, The latter organization recently drew atteation to the fact that the British Road Federation had .let up a special sub-committee of motor manufacturers and operators to review the law relating to road transport. The Liverpool Section has appointed a sob-committee to keep it advised on questions relating to 'motor law and to post-war problems affedting transport.
25 MILLION GALLONS SAVED BY RETAIL-DELIVERY POOLING 13D ETROL, had been saved at the rate of 25,000,000 gallons a year as a result of the schemes for the rationalization of retail deliveries, said Mr. Noel-Baker in the House of Commons last week. About 34,000 vehicles had been released and over half these economies were in the distribution 1 f foodstuffs. Retailers and housewives have made 4n important contribution to the war effort by this ready acceptance of the restrictions jrnposed by the schemes and the resultswere an encouragement for the further steps -now being taken to rationalize deliveries of milk, bread And .
"WINGS FOR. VICTORY"
CERTIFICATES OF HONOUR WE have been asked by the chairman VY of the War. Savings Committee -of the Road Transport Industry, Mr. E. S. Shrapnell-Smith,-C.B.E., to point out that in respect of the • local " Wings for Victory" Week, organized by a local area National Savings Committee, any bus or other transport Savings Group will be entitled to receive a Certificate of Honour 'signed
• by the Secretary of State fol. Air, if the
`• target fixed • by any Group for that week be reached. The secretary of the local committee must be formally notified in advance of the target set by the Group, and -of The results.
FINED FOR USING TYRE IN BAD CONDITION
AT Greenock Sheriff Court, last week, Sheriff Inglis imposed afine of £2 on George Frill, of Greenock, for using a lorry when one of the tyres was in a bad condition. The Sheriff pointed out that everything should be done to conserve tyres, and that use oft them after a certain stage of wear made conservation impossible. The case w as the first of its kind to. be brought since the Order was made.
DEVELOPMENTS WITH PLASTICS
LAST Monday we attended a particularly interesting display of the latest developments in plastic materials,. staged by Runcolite. Ltd., 3, Vere Street, Oxford Street, London, W.I. '
There were transparent plastic machined models, printed plastic panels for use as lubrication charts a,nd instrument panels, and various articles preserved by plastic films.
Another, class of product shown consisted of plastics and other materials spray-coated with metal. Then there were substitutes for rubber for waterproofing fabrics, and even material which would replace oiled silk. The instrument panels, dials, etc., are in what is known as Graphic Nuprint. The printing is protected from abrasion or scratching by a plastic layer .04 in. thick. These should be very suitable
for motor vehicles. • The Plastoglaze process has been developed by an associated company, Plastic Spray, Ltd., of the same address. This permits the rapid application and cure of coatings based on
phenol-formaldehyde resins. It may be that vehicle bodies. will be thus treated, instead of painting them by -normal processes.
In our issue for last week on page 75, we published a picture of a Foden tractor coupled up to a Carrimore semi-trailer, delivered to' Pierson Haulage (1933), Ltd., and the supplier was incorrectly stated. The outfit was actually supplied by Maskells Motor Repair Works, Ltd., 297, Brixton Road, London, S.W.9.
HAULIER SETS UP SOCIAL CLUB FOR EMPLOYEES
ASOCIAL club which is being established primarily for the benefit of the employees of Archbold and Co., Ltd., the Leeds transport contractors, will, also be open to any haulage driver visiting Leeds, provided that he first obtains an admission ticket from the company's offices. There will be facilities for games and refreshments will sic obtainable.
The adaptation and equipment of the premises, in Jack Lane, Hunslet, have been financed by the company, the cost being about £400. The club's members, numbering ever 60, will 'pay a subscription of 6d. per -week.