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Holidays for Haulage Workers Who ate Eligible . . . . .
THE September Bulletin of the National Road Transport Employers Federation contains a reminder that it is a statutory obligation on employers to give a week's holiday to those road-haulage workers who have qualified for this. The holiday may be granted at any time before March 31, and, if necessary, may be taken in two periods, one of which must precede or follow a weekly rest period. It is not sufficient to pay a week's wages
in lieu of the holiday. Incidentally, at present, employers are under no obligation under the Act to pay wages for time lost as a result of enemy action. This, however, does not affect a regular worker's right to receive his proper payment for a week of 48 hours.
Plans for Workers' INTERESTING views on welWelfare which lmI fare have been sent us by prove Production . British Timken, Ltd. This
concern is giving its workers artificial sunlight treatment Under qualified supervision. It is considered that this is advisable because the black-out and long working shifts deprive employees of ordinary opportunities of obtaining the benefits afforded by natural light. Short-wave therapy is also used for treating septic wounds and. skin troubles. This is giving astonishingly beneficial and quick results. Free sight tests are given by a visiting doctor. Even feet are not neglected, and the concern purchases wooden shoes (sabots), which are bought by women.workers at half cost. Smoking is allowed wherever possible, but it is forbidden for half an hour before work concludes, as fires caused by cigarette ends usually show within that time. The company suggests that works canteens should be brighter, and pleasing paint for such purposes is cheap and appreciated. The preparation and choice of food should be as carefully planned as is the factory production.
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Helping the Training A USEFUL little scheme of the Younger -r", operated by the London
Generation . . . Branch of the Industrial Transport Association is a gift of technical books, made annually to the junior associate of this body' who produces the best treatise on
the subject of industrial-transport interest. Last year's winner-was Mr. A. W. Goudie, of the transport department of Corn Products, Ltd., and the competition is again open until January 31 next year. Candidates in the London Branch and others interested may learn the full details of entry from the national secretary, Mr. J. A. Dunnage, A.M.Inst.T., 250, Halfway Street, Sidcup, Kent. The gift, which is known as the Redstort Award, arises from the generosity of our old friend, Mr. T. Vincent Redston, M.I.T.A., managing director of Servis Recorders, Ltd.
How the Michelins WE referred recently to the Started Their Tyre " death of M. Michelin,
Business founder of the Michelin Tyre Company. Some further details regarding his career may prove of interest. He first devoted himself to painting. It happened that his grandparents owned a small sugar factory, which, after being destroyed by fire, was rebuilt and converted for the manufacture of rubber balls. In 1883, Michelin, with a brother, began there to make solid-rubber cycle tyres. Later, they experimented. with pneumatics, building their own car for the purpose, and in the Paris-Bordeaux Race of 1895 this consumed no fewer than 22 tubes, Their-enthusiasm, however, was not damped. and the factory at Clermont grew from a small workshop with a score of employees to the present factory with many thousands. They were well known also for the excellent Michelin Guides and maps for motorists. Incidentally, the Michelin. Company in England is a British concern and is in full production.
THERE is very little possi
bility of foreign commercial vehicles being imported for private purposes, we are informed by the Import Licensing Department of the Board of Trade. At present, there is no intention to issue import licences, except, possibly, as special concessions in the case of vehicles particularly
required by Government Departments. It is considered that any other procedure would be unfair to British manufacturers, who are strictly limited in their building for home consumption.
The Position Concerning Commercial Vehicle Imports
Why We Seldom A FEW days ago the Daily Praise But Frequently r-LExpress admirably summed
Criticize up one of the provinces of a
paper. It stated that a newspaper is like a doctor—you do not want him to waste your time by saying what is right with you; it is the weaknesses about which you need information. When men and measures are criticized it is because the paper cannot tolerate anything which delays victory for a day. So it is with The Cortensercial Motor, not only as regards this war, but always. Our criticism is not destructive, but constructive. We point out the faults wherever we seen them, in order that steps shall be taken to have them rectified; sometimes we succeed at once; at other times we peg away for years.
Thieves Prove a RURGLARS. have paid Little Knowledge is "Messrs. Philips Industrial Dangerous . . (a branch of Philips Lamps,
Ltd.) a compliment, for, recently, they have taken from the offices of a wellknown engineering institution a copy of a new welding handbook, "Philips Practical Arc Welding Course-." Perhaps they are hoping to learn wisdom from the experience of other members of their fraternity, who, two years ago, stole an oxy-acetylene plant from a garage, but were unaware of the difference between welding and cutting. As a result, they welded the door of a safe so successfully that neither they nor the owners could subsequently open it. Incidentally, the book referred to above is issued at 4s., including postage.