SOVIET _MOTOR PRODUCTION FORGING AHEAD.
Page 28
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
The Russian Soviet Union is rapidly becoming self-supporting, so far as motor vehicles are concerned, and especially so in the case of commercial chassis, which make up 80 per cent, of the national production. This high percentage is accounted for by the need for industrial equipment in general throughout the country and by the collective-farming system.
Only a few years ago the United States had an important export business in commercial chassis to Russia, but during the whole of last year only 32 American lorries entered that country. According to official figures just published, the Soviet Union had 245,640 vehicles in circulation last year, 201,500 being commercial. Compare this with the figure of 22,664 given for 1932 for vehicles of all types.
The national production for the present year will, it is estimated, reach a total of 161,500 vehicles, including 144,500 lorries and commercial chassis. By the end of next year, Russia may become the fourth greatest automobileproducing country in the world.
Internal needs absorb nearly all this production as yet, but already there is a small export business to surrounding countries which have no national motor industry, such as Turkey, Persia, Afghanistan and Mongolia.
New Guide to Goods Transport. Judging from the number of inquiries that reach this office, there would appear to be ample scope for a comprehensive directory of goods road services. Such a guide—known as the "Goods-By-Road Transport A.B.C." (2s. 6d.)—has recently been published by the Transport Publishing Co., 21, John Bright Street, Birmingham, 1. The book provides easy reference to transport services throughout the country.
It is proposed to revise the guide periodically, and a perusal of the first edition shows that every effort has been made by the compiler—Mr, G. H. Bettinson—to produce an authoritative work. The book contains the names and addresses of over 800 concerns, and a cross-index to services is included and carries nearly 5,000 references.
Forty-seven maps are incorporated, and, in addition, there is a trades directory, as well as a directory of shipping agents and loading brokers.
Should Objectors Be Heard?
When Mr. R. B. Kennerley, 23, Lorne Street, Chester, applied before the North-western Deputy Licensing Authority, at Chester, for a variation of his B licence to add paint and lead goods for Walkers, Parker and Co., Ltd., Chester, Mr. H. Backhouse contended that under the Bullock-Jackson appeal decision the objectors were not entitled to he heard as such.
He asked the Authority to give a ruling on whether, under this decision, the objectors were to appear as objectors,. with the rights of crossexamination and appeal, or whether u18 they were simply entitled to make representations. In the latter case they were not entitled, in his submission, to appeal to the Appeal Tribunal, although it did not debar them taking an appeal before the High Court.
After hearing arguments, Sir William Hart ruled that the objectors were entitled to pursue their objection.
The application was refused.
Association Offices in North-West.
Area offices, with local autonomy, at Manchester, Liverpool and Preston, are understood to have been agreed upon at a C.M.U.A.-A.R.O. meeting, held in Manchester, last week. The business was to discuss the question of local organization after the completion of the merger and members of the headquarters sub-committee responsible for this section of the change-over were in attendance.
In addition to, the immediate district, the Preston area will cover central and south-west Lancashire, and district offices for these subareas will work in conjunction with Preston. In the course of its visit, tha sub-committee inspected all C.M.U.A. and A.R.O. offices in the North-west.
Leyland Exports Advanting.
An examination of overseas deliveries made by .Leyland Motors, Ltd., shows that, during the six months ended June last, the number of heavy passenger and goods vehicles exported increased by 45 per cent. over the comparable 1935 figure, or 131 per 'cent, over the same period of 1934. More than half the machines exported during the first six months of this year were equipped with oil engines.
This increase in export trade and the improved output of fire-engines, which, for the period in question, was more than 50 per cent_ greater than that of the 1935 period, have necessitated extensions and the building of a new erecting bay at the Chorley branch works of the company. COUNTY COUNCILS AND ROAD NATIONALIZATION.
Reporting on the Government proposals for the State control of trunk roads, the County Councils Association states that the Minister of Transport will be empowered to delegate, by agreement, all or any of his functions with respect to trunk roads to the county councils and claiming authorities. The conditions of delegation are intended to be a matter for discussion, but it is suggested that they could follow generally those laid down in Section 36 (1) of the Local Government Act, 1929.
The Association is not prepared, until it has had an opportunity of examining the communications which the county councils have already been asked to submit, to make any recommendation upon the major question of principle involved by the proposal to constitute the Minister the highway authority for trunk roads throughout the country. Nevertheless, the C.C.A. accepts, without prejudice, the Minis ter's invitation to discuss the details of his scheme.
Middlesex Highways Committee con siders that opinion should be reserved until details of the administrative and financial arrangements are available. East Sussex County Council declares that there is already too much supervision and control exercised by the Ministry of Transport, which leads to unnecessary duplication of staffs and excessive expenditure.
Death of Yorkshire Pioneer.
The death occurred, on July 30, of Mr. Joe Woodhead, principal of Messrs. J. Woodhead and Son, haulage contractors and garage proprietors, Hall fax. Mr. Woodhead, who was aged 65, had been associated with road mechanical transport for more than a quarter of a century. His son, Mr. Harry Woodhead, with whom he was in partnership, succeeds to the control of the business.