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News of the Week

POOLED DELIVERY SERVICES STILL NEEDED I'VE have already referred to the VV return to the status quo in respect of carriers' licences and .defence permits, but it was not made clear in the Order concerned how pooled delivery services would be affected. Actually, traders participating in these must obtain permission from the R.T.C.s to continue to carry for..hire or reward, but such sanction win readilY be given:

A warning notice to C-licensed operators will be sent out with their fuel .coupons. It must be emphasized that all operators must have positive permits :f they wish to carry on any transport work outside the terms of their particular licences. In the case of C operators, atddence of pool operation is all that is required. It should also be noted that an A-licensed operator must not now carry his own goods except by special permit.

JANUARY'S BETTER ROAD. ACCIDENT RETURVS UIGURES just issued by the M.O.W.T. show that there were fewer fatal accidents on the roads of Great Britain during January than in any month for many years. The total number of deaths was 335. which compares with 609 in December,. and 560 in

January, 1944. It is suggested that the main reason for the decrease was the severe weather, which had the effect of reducing the volume of traffic and of keeping indoors manS, of the children sad elderly people, amongst whom

casualties are normally high, .

The seriously injured numbered 2.003 sod the slightly injured 6,525;" in January of last year the figures'. were 2.865 and 7,846 respectively.

The following table is an analysis of the number of deaths according to the type of vehicle primarily. involved:—

Tyite of vehicle. No. of deaths. Service (British, Dominion, and Allied of the three Services) ... '75 Civil Defence .1 Public Service and Hackney ... 77 Goods Vehicles .. 97 Private Cars Motorcycles . 5 Pedal Cycles ... 40 Others

Total ,.. 335 BRITAIN MUST HAVE BETTER ROADS " rINE of the most sweeping changes hope to see in connection with the post-war provincial development of Britain is an improved system of roads," declared Sir Miles Thomas, • vice-chairman of the Nuffield Organiza: tion, in a speech at Banbury last week. " I am not one of those people who believe in competition between the road and the railway," he continued. " I believe that they should work in co-operation: the railways handling the • heavy, compact, long-distance haulage, the roads looking after the more localized goods traffic, and planned to • enitivate freedom of travel allied with maximum safety for the users of the• private car and the passenger coach. " Much of the dreadful toll of deaths on-the roads nowadays arises from the fact that our road system is not properly planned to deal with the traffic it is carrying. What we want, with the help of the provinces in the post-war era, is a system of inter-connecting motorways.between one town and the next, the towns themselves being bypassed so that both the fast and the heavy traffic are kept away from the domestic and shopping centres, and particularly from the educational centres.

" TO my mind it is an anachronism that any main road should pass through the centre of a town.

" Good roads, intelligently planned, can help tremendously to increase the prosperity that is going to flow into the provinces of Britain in the post-war. era.'" Whether the activities of the motorist be industrial, agricultural, or purely commercial, the convenience of travel given by a -good road system, coupled with , proper parking spaces, can do much to enable every member of the community to live a far fuller life.''

EXPERIMENTS WITH NEW TYPE OF BUS

EFFORTS are being made to develop types of bus which will reduce the risk of accident caused by people mounting or diamounting from them while the vehicles are in motion. Several municipalities are being asked to try out buses with closing doors, central entrances and two staircases, similar to the type now being operated at Blackpool.

We understand that Mr. Walter Luff, general manager of the Blackpool Transport Department, has obtained most favourable results with such buses in respect of the reduction of accidents.

OBITUARY The. death is announced, at the age of sixty-five years, Of MR. THOMAS BATES, of. Poiuton, South Lincolnshire, who, as a haulage contractor, had a large fleet of vehicles operating daily over a wide area in Lincolnshire and adjoining counties. He undertook extensive contracts for the Post Office Engineering Department and his lorries carried much sugar beet, potatoes, etc., for Lincolnshire farmers.

We learn with much regret that MR, FRANK LUCAS, of William Lucas and Son, Luton, died on March 2, after a long and painful illness. Mr. Lucas, who was only forty-two, carried on the business founded by his father, and was a keen association man. He was at pne time actively associated with A.R.0:, and for two years chairman of the Metropolitan Area, but broke away from that body to fbund H.M.F., of which he was the first chairman. He was still in the chair when, some 18 months ago, sickness compelled him to relinquish his office. He was a staunch upholder of the rights of the small haulier, and vigorously active in pressing the claims or the little man. His passing .will be. sincerely regretted by many thousands of them. " RED AND. WHITE'S" LATEST BUS ACQUISITION

WE learn that Red and White United Transport, Ltd., has recently acquired the bus undertaking of Venture, Ltd„ of Basingstoke, which operates an important network of routes in Hampshire and Berkshire.

Venture, Ltd., was founded in 1926 by Mr. Tom Thornycroft. The first daily service to be run was between Basingstoke and Overton and Reading, the first trip being made by two Thornycroft 20-seater vehicles driven by Mr. and Mrs. Tom Thornycroft respectively. From this beginning quite a large enterprise has been _ developed, and to-day the company owns 62 vehicles, most of these being double-d ec kers.

The offices of the company are situated at 58, Wote Street, Basingstoke, With garage and workshops in Victoria Street, and depots at Whitchurch and Baughurst.

It will be remembered that, last year, Red and White United Transport, Ltd., acquired the adjoining undertaking of Newbury and District Motor Services, Ltd.

TRANSPORT CONSULTANT REQUIRES POSITION

ATRANSPORT consultant, well known in the Traffic Courts before the war, and who, during the war,' has reached the rank of major, is now available for a suitable position such as controller of transport. Letters should be addressed " Traffic Controller," care of the Editor.

NEED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE ENGINEERING I N a paper read before the Society of Engineers, in London, on March 5, Mr, D. Tiranti, A.M.I.I.A., A.I.P.E., submitted that there was definite need for administrative engineering in this country, as a distinct and separate function.

He emphasized -that it has become increasingly obvious that there is an important aspect in engineering that requires considerable development, and that aspect is production, which is but a division of administrative engineering. This is a field which has not maintained progress with other techniques developed, but its need has, since the war, made itself felt.

For many years now America has realized the value of this and, both educationally and industrially, has concentrated on the subject. It may be observed that some of the American universities bad industrial engineering as part of their curriculum as far back as 1908. The course of study prepared is comprehensive and forms a full twoyear to four-year course.

As to the type of technical knowledge required by the administrative engineer,• several points were made and, as an example, a detailed analysis of what was required in one subject, namely, production control, was presented. Variousother factors were dealt with, concluding with the point that administrative engineering could be used and would form oneof the greatest boons to industry in the securing of increased production.

HALIFAX HAULAGE BUSINESS ACQUIRED

WE learn that the road haulage business of Mr. R. Cooper, of Aysgarth, Triangle, near Halifax, has been acquired by a new company, j. S. Hutehinson, Ltd., the registered office of which is at 23, John William Street, Huddersfield. The directors of this company, which has a nominal capital of £6,000 in £1 shares; are Alderman Charles HolcIstvorth, of Halifax, Mr. Robert' Hanson, of Huddersfield, and Mr. J. S. Hutchinson, of Huddersfield.

Mr. Hutchinson, formerly chairman of the Hired Vehicle Operators' Panel of the operators' S.J.C., is also associated with the Holdswortb and Hanson interests as manager for Holdsworth and Hanson (Leeds), Ltd., a controlled

undertaking under the R.H.O. Previously .he was manager for Mestrs. C. and S; Parkinson, of Huddersfield.

MERGER FUNCT,ION AT EXETER NEARLY 100 members and friends • attended -a dinner held recently at

Exeter to celebrate the merger of what were the local areas of A.R.O. and the C.M.U.A. The chairman of R.H.A. Exeter Area, Mr. G. J. Greenslade, presided.

Mr. Greenslade said that the A.R.O. had always aimed at the ordered direc

tion of-the industry in the interests of

a:1 concerned. Transport was a vital factor in the cost of living. The service would he maintained at the highest pitch of efficiency to assist the trade recovery which would be so essential. My. R. W. Sewill, Director, R.H.A., thought that they would have to accept

a certain measure of control. StatutorV rates were probably inevitable and low, overdue, but he believed they would retain a large measure of independence.* The vice-chairman of the new body, Mr. J. Crews, said that, as road-trans

port operators, they must insist that no one conhern should be penalized at the expense of another.

Mr. F. G. Bristow, Director, N.R.T.F., urged those responsible for road-transport vehicles to do everything possitle to reduce the appalling road casnalties. THE EFFECT OF WEIGHT ON WAR-TIME BUSES

GENERAL manager of the Southport Corporation's passenger transport department, Mr F E. Cook, states that during the war period the price of motorbuses has advanced from £1,800 to something like £2,700. The wartime product compares reasonably well with the pre-war model, apart from the

seating, but the M.O.W.T. has now allowed the provision of upholstered seats and other improvements. A big snag with the war-time vehicle, he adds, is its additional weight, owing to the use of cast-iron in place of aluminium for various parts. This is reflected in the vehicip's perforthance and fuel consumption.

Southport had experimented with the use of creosote as motor fuel; it was used in vehicles fitted with oil engines and had the effect of increasing the mileage by about 15 per cent To-day, it was no longer necessary to use creosote.

Before the war, Southport's operating costs were amongst the lowest in the country at 81c1. pei mile; to-day they _are 15d. per mile.

SEASON TICKETS FOR COUNTRYWIDE PARKING THE British Legion intends to estab lish car parks all os.er the country. these to be staffed by ex-Service men, who will be given a standard wage and uniform Season tickets to cover such parks will.be issued. We hope that the requirements of commercial vehicles have not been overlooked in tlsis respect, and that they will be included in the scheme. • ' • OLDHAM TACKLES THE ABSENTEEISM PROBLEM

ABSENTEEISM amongst temporary traffic employees of the passenger transport department of Oldham Corporation has become such a serious problem that Mr C. P Paige, general manager, states he has reluctantly / decided to recommend his committee to consider asking the town council to abolish the payment of wages to temporary traffic servants during sickness, ' During the first 16 days of February absenteeism amounted to an average of 125 persons a day, and an analysis showed that the greater, proportion of them were women workers. In this period 7,657 miles were lost, plus increased costs, to the•department due to the payment of wages to most of the absentees.

R.H.A. CHAIRMAN ANNOUNCES NEW POLICY BOOKLETS

AT a lunched' of the executive committee of the R.I1 A., Mr. .Henry T. Dittfield, the chairman, said that until January 31 he was able to exercise the right enjoyed by all members of the Association freely to expressper'sone] views and opinions, but as chairman he is now the exception. to that rule.

It is his duty faithfully to interpret the wishes of the National Council and of the members. He would endeavour to ensure that decisions of the Council be such as to command the widest possible measure of support throughout the industry. It would be his aim to assist in forming a policy which would both represent the greatest good for the greatest number and enable roaci.transport to serve the community to maximum advantage.

Details of policy are already being worked out in a series of booklets which would be published at intervals.

POST-WAR PURCHASING PROBLEMS THE Purchasing Officers' Association, . Walter House, Bedford Street, Strand, London, W.C.2, will be pleased to advise manufacturers and others who may have under consideration the appointment of qualified purchasing officers, EXPORT REPRESENTATION IN ARGENTINA

WE have received a letter from Organization De Intercambio Commercial, Avda, De Mayo 1365. Buenos Aires, Argentina, suggesting that British concerns interested in exporting to the Argentine should consider making use of its services in this connection

MUNICIPAL BUS RESULTS 'AT HALIFAX STIMATES of the working of the passenger transport department of Halifax Corporation for the year ending March 1 next show a disposable balance of more than £24,600, which is about £1,000 less than that for the previous year. Expenses have increased by over £5,700, chiefly on account of wages. Net profit is put at nearly £38,000, against over £42,000 in the preceding year. .

The. corporation's shares in the net profit on the bus services which it operates jointly with railway interests, under the auspices of the Halifax Joint Omnibus Committee, is shown as more than £33,000, na increase of over £2,000 on the previous year. LOWER TAXATION MUST PRECEDE EXPORT INCREASE

SPEAKING to the Incorporated Sales Managers' Association at Cardiff oh March 2, Mr. H. D. Simmons, P.R.O. of the S.M.M.T., said that the motor industry is seeking to establish a claim for the high recognition which it rightly deserves. It is endeavouring to make clear that the post-war interests of the country will be well served if the induStry be freed from many of the legislative obstacles that Governments have put across its path It seems incredible that in spite of the fact that road transport enters so largely into the economic welfare of the Nation, its progress has been impeded by a short-sighted policy of taxation and legislation generally that is well-nigh vicious. The cost of these harsh levies is passed on and must inevitably be reflected in the priceof everything transported by road

If such taxation be_not substantially reduced, the home market will not he big enough to permit a competitiVe level being established for the types of vehicle that find favour abroad. The choice is simple—either the Nation's export trade, must be enlarged beyond the pre-war level Or the standard of living here must he reduced; there are no half measures or a:ternatives.

MORE HINTS FOR OVERSEAS TRAVELLERS haVe received from the Depart

ment of Overseas Trade three more of the useful little booklets, •" Hints to Business Men," these applying to Turkey, the Belgian Congo and, combining in one, Portugal, Madeira and the Azores. They may be obtained, free, on application by representatives of -United Kingdom firms interested in the export trade. The Department also invites calls from those who are about to travel overseas

SIR WILLIAM ROOTES ON EXPORT PROMOTION

BEFORE the Newbury Chamber 01 Commerce, Sir William Rootes said, last week, that it would be fatal for .,either the railways or the road interests to indulge in a road V. rail controversy There were huge jobs of rehabilitation to be done by every form of transport, whilst the roads themselves must, and surely will, be developed with far greater imagination and speed than in the past. We Must recognize that we have a colossal leeway to make up in our exports, with plenty of competition to face.

Referring to Lord Woolton's plea to British industrialists to recapture the spirit of the Elizabethan merchant adventurers; • Sir • William said he doubted if Sir Walter Raleigh or Sir. Francis Drake, when setting out on their journeys, had to •make application to half a dozen Government Departments for permission to fill up half a hundred forms of application.

USABLE CARCASES ON TYRE DUMPS?

I N the House of Commons, last week, the Minister of Supply, Sir Andrew Duncan, was asked a number of pertinent questions relative to rubber dumps throughout the country. Capt. Thorneycroft, who raised the matter, said that there were 5,000,000 tyres lying on these dumps and that approxi. mately 8 per cent, of them were suitable for re-use after treatment.

The Minister, however, did not agree, and said that a check carried out at One of the largest depots yielded less than 3 per cent, In reply to questions relative to the use of reclaimed rubber, Sir Andrew Duncan said that, of the total supply of tyres for civilian purposes in 1944, about one-third consisted of used tyres which had been . reconditioned. Reclaimed rubber from used tyres unlit for reconditioning, he said, is used in making new tyres.

The present quality of tyres, he went on, is necessarily somewhat below that before the war, but he was satisfied that the' 'best use possible was being made of the various materials now available.

.A.R.O. YORKSHIRE AREA

. H.Q. CLOSING DOWN.

IN accordance with arrangements under the -Perry merger scheme, the old Yorkshire area headquarters of.A.R.0„ in Basinghall Street, Leeds will be dozed as from to-morrow, Mach 10.

Mr. J. E. Rogers, who was area secretary for A.R,O., joins his National Road Transport Federation colleagues at Oxford' Chambers, Oxford Place, Leeds, as Yorkshire area secretary for the Passenger Vehicle Operators' Association PRESENTATION TO SIMMS. DIRECTOR

OVER 60 members of the staff of Simms Motor Units, Ltd., and friends, recently sat down to dinner at the Waldorf Hotel, London, the occasion being a presentation to Mr. Walter Bryan, a director and chief engineer of the company, with Which he has been for 40 years.

Mr. G. E. Liardet, proposing a toast to the visitors, referred to the splendid help John Dickenson and Sons, Ltd., had given to the Simms company.

The presentation of a cine-projector to Mr. Bryan was made by Mr. Tom Thornycroft. chairman of Simms Motor Units, Ltd., who referred to him as a valued and nsteemed colleague, and one who had made a far-reaching contribution to the development of electrical equi pment, -In his response, Mr. Bryan referred to the days when certain markets had been profitable venues for foreign traders, but with the more efficiently organized shops in this country those markets, would be for the English manufacturer.