NEWS of the WEEK
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IN an official statement published on Wednesday, Mr. W. E. Rootes, President of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, stated that the British motor industry will continue to supply the demands of the overseas markets, which exports would constitute an important contribution towards paying for the nation's vital import needs.
The decision followed a series of conferences in which prominent parts were taken by the Board of Trade, Department of Overseas Trade and the Material Controllers of the Ministry of Supply, and it will apply both to commercial vehicles and cars, the arrangement being on the basis that export orders will be fully met without jeopardizing production for military requirements.
News concerning this important move was published exclusively in The Commercial Motor dated November 11.
Unique Forwarding Agency Formed at Derby UOR some time, a few prominent local transport contractors have had in mind some attempt at unification in the industry in the Derby area. The outbreak of war, confronting roadtransport operators with new and urgent problems, gave stimulus to already half-formed plans, and has resulted in the formation of a forwarding agency which is unique in the sense that its framework is thoroughly democratic, and provides for management by hauliers for the benefit of themselves and the whole industry. The company, which is a private one, is called Mutual Transport '(Derby), Ltd. There is a strict limit to the share capital which may be held by any one transport contractor, and on the other hand the minimum shareholclidg has been fixed at a sum which throws open the organization to the smallest operators.
Important contracts which might otherwise be placed elsewhere may he handled through this company, as it will be able to command a large fleet of vehicles at short notice. The headquarters of the company are 44, Friargate, Derby.
The members of the Provisional Board of Management are:—Messrs. W. Parnell, A. J. Carlier, L. J. Rix, B. Keeling, J, Leah, H. Stone, J. H. Roper, D. Derham, J. H. Allen. The secretary and manager is Mr. E. C. Wheatcroft Guy's Have a Good Year TN the year ended June 30, 1939, Guy 1 Motors, Ltd., made a net profit of £50,351, after providing for depreciation, taxation and all charges except debenture interest. Ordinary shareholders are to receive a dividend of 15 per cent., less tax, which will take £17,382, whilst general reserve receives £17.000. A sum of £7,000 is set aside to the sinking fund for debenture redemption, and reserve for staff profitsharing bonus takes £3,000. The amount carried forward is £22,031.
In the report mention is made of the fact that the turnover, to date, for the current year exceeds that of the comparable period last year. DE FINITE PRODUCER-GAS MARKETING PLANS WHILST the demand for producerVV gas plants is at present great, judging by the large number of inquiries received by this paper, the supply has hitherto been very limited. Operators, therefore, will be relieved to know that the position is now improving.
We have just received from British Gazogenes, Ltd., 48. Broadway, Westminster, London, S.W.1, a leaflet listing this company's producer-gas equipment and giving prices. Three units, comprising generator, filter, combined dustboxes and coolers, bypass assembly and gas mixer, are available. Their prices are £72 10s. for the unit suitable for 2-31-litre engines, £80 for 3-6-litre engines, and £87 10s. for 5-7-litre engines. The corresponding par-load figures are, respectively, up to 3 tons, up to 5 tons and up to 8 tons.
Deliveries in execution of orders already placed will begin this month, and quantity deliveries will commence in January. The units are to be marketed through commercial-vehicle distributors, and inquiries from concerns interested will be welcomed. The apparatus is now being manufactured in this country.
Haulage Rates from Gravel Pits WE learn from the secretary of the W East Midland Area of A.R.O. that, through negotiations with the Midland Gravels Association, he has been successful in obtaining a 10 per cent. surcharge on invoice value, as from December 1, on haulage rates from the gravel pits of the following concerns: Branston Gravels, Ltd.; Hilton Gravels, Ltd.; Hulland Gravels, Ltd.; Derby Gravels Aggregates, Ltd.; Stretton Sand and Gravel, Ltd.; Trent Gravels, Ltd.; Willington Gravels, Ltd., and Burton and Branston Gravels, Ltd.
I,000-mile Trial of Producer-gas Vehicle
AN Albion 4-tonner, one of a fleet of 12 commercial vehicles owned by Messrs. William Moorhouse and Son, fruit preservers, of Leeds, has been adapted for producer-gas operation by the fitting of a Brush-Koela plant, supplied by Mr. Frank H. Dutson, a Leeds commercial-vehicle specialist. Mr. F. G. Moorhouse told a correspondent that this week (ending December 9) they were putting the converted vehicle through tests covering 1,000 miles, including a climb up the famous Shap Fell. If they were satisfied with the results of the conversion, they intended to have other vehicles adapted for producer-gas operation. DELAYS CAUSE HIGHER RATES ALL cartage work in the port of Liverpool is now being charged out at an increase of 20 per cent., as from December 1. The increase is being added to accounts for 'cartage in the form of a " War Addition."
The rise in the working costs of horse-drawn and mechanically propelled transport, explains the Liverpool Cart and Motor Owners Association, has been accentuated by the abnormal delays to vehicles now being experienced on the quays and elsewhere in the port area.
An Electrical Equipment Inexactitude
F"stating, recently, that standard chassis design does not include a battery master switch, we have been promptly corrected. We had overlooked the fact that such a device is incorporated in the excellent control unit made by Simms Motor Units, Ltd., Oak Lane, East Finchley, London, N.2, and standardized on certain A.E.C. passenger machines.
This battery isolating switch is of a semi-rotary type in which the contacts are wiped clean each time it is operated, and are of large proportions to minimize voltage drop. It can also be supplied as a separate unit in a suitable casing.
The Cost of Gas Producers OUR reference, last week, in a leading article, to the possible manufacturing cost of a simple type of gas producer designed on the most economic lines for mass production has, apparently, given some people the idea that present prices are excessive.
It should be remembered that the figure we gave should not be taken alone, but in conjunction with the whole paragraph. We said that it would apply to large quantities, and it must be borne in mind that production cost is probably one-third or less of the amount at which any particular article can be sold at a reasonable profit. The selling price will generally have to include agents' commission and other marketing costs, whilst when produced in comparatively small numbers, the overhead charges must necessarily be higher in proportion. When it comes to mass production—perhaps, in thousands—then it may be possible to bring the costs down to those which we and others visualize.
Preparing the Way for Rates Increases
TO strengthen the hands of Yorkshire road hauliers in making increases in rates, the North Eastern Division of the C,M.U.A. and the Yorkshire Area of A.R.O., issued, on Saturday last, a joint statement explaining the reason for such increases. While no specific percentage of increase was announced, because of the absence of rates stabilization, it was felt that the statement would help operators to arrange with clients for increases in their rates.
The joint statement said that a general increase in rates was unavoidable and added that " There is no desire on the part of the road-transport
industry to exploit the present position, but the cost of every, commodity connected with the carrying of goods has increased considerably. The cost of tyres has risen by at least 10 per cent., petrol and oil fuel by 2fd. per gallon, and spares by 10-15 per cent.
In addition to these factors, many operators have had vehicles impressed by the military authorities, and the cost of replacing them is not only difficult but, because of the shortage of suitable types, more costly than before the war."
It was announced that December 4 had been fixed as the •date for the introduction of the increase.
Fuel Restrictions Damage Industry THAT restrictions caused . by the reduction of supplementary petrol rations are detrimental to industry', was the verdict of a meeting of Rawtenstall road-transport operators, held on December 5, The resolution is to be sent to the Minister of Transport and Mr. Ronald Cross M.P. Mr. G. Barnes said supplementary rations had been reduced twice in a fortnight, and Mr. J. S. Haworth (C.M.U.A.) said they had been told that supplies would be cut down still more.
It was reported that some concerns had had to engage other carriers because supplies were sufficient for only half the week.
Concession to Steam Tractors with Trailers
AS a result of representations made -to the Minister of Transport by the National Road Transport Employers' Federation, it has been agreed to permit the maximum laden weight of steam tractors and trailers to be raised from 22 tons to 24 tons, as in the case of steam vehicles and trailers.
PERSONAL PARS MR. ALEX. BOGIE, a member of the. fire brigade for 12 years, has been appointed firernaster by Pittenweern Town Council.
COUNCILLOR J. S. HILL has been appointed chairman, and COUNCILLOR ADAMS deputy chairman of Manchester Transport Committee.
COUNCILLOR J. CHARNLEY has been appointed chairman of Blackburn Transport Committee, with COUNCILLOR S. "SlIARPLES as vice-chairman.
MR. H. E. .m.ELIN, who has been on the 'Dunlop general sales staff in Lon, don for the past 14 years, has just
retired. He joined the company in 1920, on the overseas side, and since then he has been concerned with commercial-vehicle tyre sales, both in London and in Manchester.
MESSRS. T. B. BYRNE, F. W. BYRNE and D. L. WILSON, directors of Charles Weston and Co., Ltd., Torrington Avenue, Coventry, maker of the well-known Gitseals, have all joined the Services. The first-named is a flying officer in the R.A.F., Mr. F. W. Byrne a lieutenant in the N.D.C., and Mr. a Wilson is in the R.A.S.C.
Mu, J. H. STIRR has been appointed Regional Transport Commissioner of the Midland Region, in place of Mr. Edgar 1VIacassey, who has resigned. Mr. Stirk is also Regional Transport Commissioner of the North Midland Region and he will be in control of the Midland Area until a permanent successor to Mr. Macassey is appointed by the Minister of Transport,
M. W. M. W. THOMAS, well known as managing director of Wolsetey Motors, Ltd., is announced by the British Broadcasting Corporation to give a talk entitled " Industry Takes the King's Shilling." This will take place at 10.30 a.m. on December 11 and will include certain interesting facts about the change-over from peace-time work to war work in a large-scale production. This is not the first time that Mr. Thomas has broadcast, as he has taken part more than a dozen times in those referred to as the "Midland Parliament."
Meeting to Discuss Transport Pooling
AMEETING of road operators, irrespective of the organizations to which they belong, will be held on Saturday, December 16, at the Fruit Exchange, Victoria Street, Liverpool, at 2.45 p.m. It has been arranged following many inquiries received ny the North-Western Area of A.R.O., in connection with the proposed pooling of transport scheme being inaugurated under the title Traffic Movement (Emergency) Organization, Ltd. The speakers will be Mr. R. Hindley and Mr. J. L. Kinder,
BLACK-OUT WRECKING DRIVERS' NERVES
WARNING of the effect of existing black-out conditions on the nerves of drivers handling heavy road vehicles was given, last week, by Mr. Robert Barr, of Leeds, president of the Yorkshire Federation of Road Transport Employers, in an address on " Road Problems."
Mr. Barr, who was appealing for some relaxation of black-out conditions in the dties, said: " The greatest factor we are concerned about is the health of the drivers. The black-out is having a serious effect on the nerves of the men." If this strain was continued too long, he added, there would be a general breakdown in the health and nerves of public-service vehicle drivers in busy centres.
" We should press with all the forces we have for a system of central lighting similar to that which they have in Paris," said Mr; Barr. " I know the authorities are giving it their attention, but they are extremely slow," When Supplementary Fuel is Refused
ACASE was recently brought to the' notice of the Standing Joint Committee where a supplementary petrol ration, which, obviously, owing to the nature of the work, should have been granted, had been refused by a Subdistrict Manager.
The dislocation which followed would probably have not occurred if the operator had availed himself of his right to appeal to the District Transport Officer. This is a hint, of which cognizance should be taken by other hauliers.
Higher Wages for Bakery Transport Workers
TRANSPORT workers in the bakery department of Dundee Eastern Co-operative Society, Ltd., agreed on December 1 to accept an offer of 3s. increase in wages, based on the cost-ofliving index. This will be effective as from December 11. There will be a further increase of Is. for every additional five points increase in the costof-living figures.
SEEKING SUGGESTIONS ON FUEL RATIONING
IN order to obtain facts and suggestions concerning the petrol and oilfuel rationing scheme, the Yorkshire Federation of Road Transport Employers has invited its members to reply to a questionnaire which it has circulated among them.
The covering letter accompanying the questionnaire states :—"After three months of war and the experience gained in connection with the rationing of petrol and oil fuel, quite a number of members view the future with considerable anxiety.
" With a view to the possibility of dealing with the matter, it is considered advisable to ascertain from the members particulars of how they are operating their vehicles under the rationing scheme, and to find out whether there are any practical suggestions which can be made for improving the outlook," "The Queen's Book of the Red Cross"
HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN has consented to sponsor a Royal Gift Book in aid of the Lord Mayor's Fund for the Red Cross and the Order of St.
John. The book, which is entitled "The Queen's Book of the Red Cross," brings together a distinguished company of British authors and artists to pay tribute to a great cause. It is being published, by Hodder and Stoughton, Ltd., and all profits will go to the Fund. It is a book planned for everyone and sells at 5s. net.