RAILWAYS TO LOSE AGRICULTURAL TRAFFIC?
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If agricultural traffic be subjected to the 5 per cent, increase in freight rates on the four main-line railways, sanctioned by the Railway Rates•Tribunal, it is felt that the effect will nullify some of the Government's measures put forward in the Agricultural Bill, for the assistance of the industry.
.The position will be carefully considered by the National Farmers Union so soon as the terms of the Tribunal's judgment am available, and, if the increased rates be applicable to agricultural traffic, we understand that farmers will be strongly advised to use independent road-transport facilities wherever practicable. Furthermore, it -will be suggested that they utilize to the fullest extent the privileges granted under the Road and Rail Traffic Act, 1533, with regard to running their own vehicles, and acting in combination for that purpose.
• Official Orders in June.
A fair number of orders for motor vehicles and allied material was given out by Government-Departments during June last. The Admiralty place one for ambulances with Morris Commercial Cars, Ltd., another for tractors with Greenwood and Batley, Ltd., and one for goods and passenger vehicles with Vauxhall Motors, Ltd.
The War Department gave a contract. for tractor bodies to Scammell Lorries, Ltd., and one for chassis was divided between Rootes, Ltd., Albion Motors, Ltd., Morris Commercial Cars, Ltd., and John I. Thomycroft and Co., Ltd. Lorries were also ordered from Morris Commercial Cars, Ltd., and road rollers from Aveling-Barford, Ltd.
The Air Ministry ordered bodywork from E. 'G. Brown and Co., Ltd., and chassis from the Albion and Crossley concerns.
The G.P.O. authorities placed a" 18 contract for motor bodywork with Birch Bros., Ltd., Cross and Ellis, Ltd., and Duple Bodies and Motors, Ltd., and 'purchased Morris-Commercial lorries. The orders given out by the Crown Agents for the Colonies included the following :---Barford oil-engined road rollers, Bedford chassis, Fordson lorries, a mechanical horse and trailer from Rootes, Ltd., and Thornycroft lorries and trailers.
Medals for " Elders of the Road."
Long service as road users by three Yorkshire motor drivers with clean records was recognized in Leeds, last Friday, when they were presented with medals by Lady Quarmby. The presentation marked the result of the " Elders of the Road" competition organized by the Leeds Safety First Council, in an effort to discover drivers with unblemished records of at least 25 years' driving.
The three recipients were MY: Frederick Wheatley, of Mona Terrace, Farsley, near Leeds; who' is in business at Stanningley as a Motor engineer, and has a record of 44 years as a driver without conviction or blameworthy accident: Mr. Fred Stephenson, of Tong Street, Bradford, a road user since 1858, who has been employed continuously by one concern without blameworthy accident or conviction ; and Mr. W. Butler, of Rvedale Avenue. Leeds, who retired on pension in November, 19:14, after 41 years' service as a. driver, nearly all with Leeds Corporation's transport department.
Clearing Houses, and Cut Rates.
We regret that in the letter from Mr. Ashton Davies, Chief Commdrcial Manager, London, Midland and Scottish Railway Co., which appeared on page 841 of our issue for last week, was a small misprint. Mr. Davies actually said: " I have evaded nothing and will leave those within the roadtransport industry to judge, etc" The word " and " appeared as " that." BUREAUCRATIC INTERFERENCE MUST BE RESISTED.
At the annual g6neial meeting of the Steel Barrel Scarnmells and Associated .Engineers, Ltd., Mr. H. R. Hood Barrs (chairman),in •reviewing the activities of subsidiary companies, said that the shortage of steel has a tendency to restrict output and, although the cornpanies. have been well provided with essential stocks, there is some delay in ..securing special material. In his opinion, bureaucratic interference with the steel trade is largely responsible for this unsatisfactory 'position.
He -thought that there was no justificationfor the Road and Rail _Traffic Act, which puts all haulage businesses at the mercy of the Licensing Authorities. As a result of the working of this legislation, he Stressed that there is now a scarcity of' essential transport in certain areas. He added that this form of interference with trade Wbuld have to be resisted -by the indtstry of the country as a whole,
Arran Motors Purchased.
William Hurlock,. Junr., Ltd.; 55, Effra Road; Brixton, London, S./W.2, advises us that it has purchased • the entire busineSs of Arran Motors, Ltd., Welwyn Garden City. The company is to continue the manufacture of -the Arran vehicle which, in future, will be known as the H.A.C.
4,580 Level Crossings: 38 to Go. According to the Minister of Transport, there are approximately 4,560 , railway crossings on classified and unclassified roads in Great Britain, of which 1,082 are on classified roads. He proposes to undertake forthwith five schemes to avoid level crossings on trunk roads, and five grants for the elimination or avoidance of level crossings on other roads have been mad,t during this financial year.
Highway authorities have scheduled 28 other schemes as being due for commencement.