Government Restrictions Prevent Higher Exports
Page 32
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ALTHOUGH Sir Hartley Shaweross, Attorney-General, last week called for an even greater volume of exports (see this page), there are several difficulties in the way of the achievement of that aim.
There is, for example, the tendency towards the building of vehicles of th& monocoque type.. The main difficulty here is that so many countries to which we hope to export will permit the entry of chassis, although, unfortunately, not always consistently, but virtually bar bodies, for the reason that they are anxious to encourage the production of bodywork in their home factories. A few will allow the entry, of bodies in knock-down form, but, obviously, this could hardly apply to the particular type mentioned.
Problems of Flat Engines
Then, in connection with the development of flat engines, it is not such a difficult matter to arrange for differences in wheelbase and length when the engine is in its normal position at the front, but with a flat engine considerable modifications of such dimensions become (Ellicott, if not impossible. Yet it would appear that the demand abroad for these power units, particularly in the passenger-transport field, is
likely to increase. , The main difficulty in this connection is the ridiculous limit imposed upon the
so-called " box " dimensions. Practically no country with which we hope to trade in commercial vehicles requires the " stunted " types to which we have to adhere at present at home. Foreign buyers must have a vehicle length of at least 30 ft. and a width of 8 ft. This means that our makers have to develop special models for overseas and thus upset their production arrangements. and the interruptions in the flow must necessarily result in higher costs and vital delays. It is difficult to understand why the present Government has been so
,stubborn in refusing what are, after all', quite reasonable requirements and of the utmost importance to our overseas trade. Nowadays it is an absurdity to demand the use of a third axle in order to have a single-decker 30 ft. long.
Another stumbling block is the 20 m.p.h. speed limit upon vehicles weighing over 3 tons. Makers are still being compelled to build unduly light machines with comparatively smallpowered engines, so as to keep within the unladen-weight limit for which the 30 m.p.h. is permitted.
Makers h a v e complained that Canada, for instance, wants 5-tonners with powerful oil engines, but it is not possible to produce these within the 3-ton limit and yet retain the ruggedness which is essential to meet the conditions of many classes of service abroad. They can, of course, be built here but cannot be competitive in price without an adequate home market.
BARTON'S RECORD REVENUE I N spite of wage increases, heavier depreciation charges on new vehicles and fares remaining at pre-war levels, Barton Transport, Ltd., Beeston. Notts, earned a record gross revenue last year.
This was stated in the chairman's report. presented to the annual meeting in Nottingham by Mr. T. A. Barton. who thought the remarkably fine weather had contributed to the success.
The year's profit was £70.591, compared with £56.343 in the previous year.
Kr. Barton also said that nine new double-deckers, 20 single-deckers and three coaches had been added to the fleet during the year and the total number of vehicles was now 278, ot 19 more than a year ago.