NEWS of the WEEK
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TYRE MAKERS' SCHEME TO SAVE SHIPPING
AS announced in an advertisement in this issue. British tyre manufacturers have been requested by the Voluntary Control Panel of the Rubber Industry to co-operate in a plan to economize in the importation of raw materials and thus relieve valuable
shipping space. •
Under this plan, the manufacturers, as a war-time measure, are inviting operators to return pneumatic tyres, when removed from vehicles, to the original maker, through the trader from whom the tyres are normally bought. Such equipment will then. be examined by the makers at their respective factories and those in a suitable condition will, at the request of the customer, be reconstructed in the original moulds. The moderate price charged for this service can be ascertained from lists issued by the tyre makers, as well as from local dealers.
It should be •emphasized that manufacturers will not undertake the reconstruction of a tyre unless the casing be sound and can be remoulded with complete safety.
Transferring Coal Traffic from Road
rOMPLAINT was voiced at a recent
meeting of the Federation of 'Yorkshire Road Transport Employers, in Leeds, concerning a case which has arisen under the scheme approved by the Transport Commissioner (Major F. S. Eastwood) for the North-eastern Region for the transfer of coal traffic from road to rail with a view to securing transport economies. Cooperating in the operation of the scheme is a body known as the Coal Advisory Committee,
It was reported that the case in question involved the transfer from road to rail of coal traffic amounting to 1,000 tons per week, delivered to Bradford Corporation. The coal was transported a distance of about 14 miles, and the transfer of the traffic from road to rail
meant an additional cost of 9d. per ton to the corporation.
A •resolution which was adopted directed that the attention of the responsible corporation official at Bradford be called to this additional charge upon the local ratepayers, Same of whom are members of the Federation, and described the extra expense as quite unnecessary. The resolution provided that " failing a satisfactory solution of the matter," the question be taken up with members of Bradford City Council.
Delay at Refuelling Depots
A S a result of congestion taking place Cl at fuel depots and stations, resulting in the undue delaying of commercial vehicles while other types are attended to, the C.M.U.A. has made representations to the Minister of Transport, urging that certain depots at key positions should be made exclusive to commercial vehicles, or alternatively, that separate tanks, with adequate staffing should be available for their use.
The Minister„ in his reply, stated that both the Petroleum Department and the Petroleum Board are anxious that the reasonable needs of commercial conSLIMerS should be met, and asked the C.M.U.A. to submit particulars of any eases where commercial consumers are finding such difficulty, and these will be fully investigated.
New Employers' Panel in Yorkshire
AS an outcome of the reconstitution of Area Wages Boards under the Road Haulage Wages Act, owing to the expiry of the period of office of sitting members, Yorkshire will no longer be without an Area Board employers' panel. The old employers' panel resigned en bloc as a protest against the short-circuiting of the area negotiating machinery when the wages increase of last May was put through. However, it is learned that operators' organizations in Yorkshire have nominated representatives for appointment to the new employers' panel required for the reconstitution of the
Yorkshire Area Board. . POWER TO MODIFY THE UNIT OF FUEL
THERE is an interesting develop1 ment in connection with the quantity of motor spirit or oil fuel which is to be considered as the equivalent to a unit. At present, this remains at one gallon of petrol and two-thirds of a gallon of oil, but the new Motor Fuel Rationing (No. 5) Order, 1940, made by the Board of Trade under the Defence Regulations; provides that the Secretary of Petroleum may, from time to time, direct either generally or in respect of such description of coupons as may be specified in the direction, and either generally or in respect of such area. or areas as may be so certified, specify what quantity of either fuel is to be supplied against the surrender of each coupon. it was always. intended. that the unit should be capable of modi.fication, but reference to modifications in different areas appears to be new.
Wages to Link Up with Cost of Living?
DROPOSALS that wage variations
should be tied up with the cost-ofliving figures have recently been put forward in the north, with the object of creating a fair basis and, at the same time, preventing any risk of sudden fluctuation in the wages position. The first official move came last week when the Eastern Section of the C.M.U.A. North-western ,Division, which represents one of the most important industrial areas in the . country, recommended to the National Haulier Board that "the present rate of wages in the road-haulage industry shall be regarded as being fixed on the cost of living obtaining in May, 1940, and that all future alterations in wages be based on the rise or fall of the cost-of-living figures."
Mr. E. F'. Topbam (Manchester C.M.U.A.) has resigned from the Area Wages Board and Mr. W. Farnorth has been elected to fill the vacancy. Mr. W. Patton (South-east Lanes C.M.U.A.) has also resigned and Mr. F. Rudman has been appointed. PROPAGANDA FILM ON ROAD TRANSPORT
AFEW days ago we were invited to a private showing of the film " 66 Northbound," together with others of a topical propaganda nature. The former is one of the best we have yet seen connected with road transport and should be well worth a place in the annals of our industry. All those interested in road transport should make a point of seeing this interesting 'film production. It has been prepared by the Ministry of Information, in conjunction with the Ministry of Transport.
Lighting Restrictions for Business Premises WITH the approach of the longer VV hours of darkness, the question of the factory and office black-out becomes increasingly urgent. Managers who are again faced With this difficulty are reminded that a pamphlet entitled "War Time Lighting Restrictions for Industrial and Commercial Premises " can be obtained from 11.11. Stationery Office, or through any bookseller, at 3d., including postage. Although issued shortly before the war, it is still up to date.
R.A.F. Gallantry Recognized by Lord
ONE of the most generous gifts of the war period is the 2250,000 contributed to the R.A.F. Benevolent Fund by Lord Nuffield, under the title of the Nuffield Endowment. This is to be invested and the interest applied to the relief of all forms-of distress among the dependants of the R.A.F. personnel killed in action or incapacitated as a result of injuries received in action.
This is a mark of the extent to which Lord Nuffield shares in the national admiration aroused by the gallantry of our R.A.F. pilots and crews.
New "Teach Yourself" Publications
THE enterprising series of " Teach Yourself" text books for the home student is steadily being built up to include a great range of subjects, and three new volumes have just appeared.
'Teach Yourself Trigonometry" will be found specially useful to men in the Services and those about to be called up. A knowledge of trigonometry is an essential qualification for many duties. It is clearly arranged and all essential tables are included " Everyday French " is a sequel to "Teach Yourself French" and is intended for the student who has mastered the elementary stages. It is planned on original lines, each lesson including passages of conversational and• commercial French • and extracts from French literature.
"Teach Yourself Biology " is an admirable introduction to the subject. It is fully illustrated and includes instruction on practical work.
Each book costs 2s. 6d. and is published by Hodder and Stoughton, Ltd., Bickley Road, Bickley, Bromley.
Haulier Air-raid Victim WE learn with much regret that Mr. S. L. Lawson Pigott, who was well known in the commercial-vehicle industry, for some time as an agent, and, later, as a haulier, died on Thursday of last week as the result of injury by bomb received on the previous Tuesday.
NATIONAL BID TO RECOVER SCRAP
THE current campaign for the recovery of all types of scrap, particularly waste metal, possesses two aspects. The first embraces a saving of worn and broken parts which are of no further value for anything but remelting. The second includes the recovery of such metal, in what may be described as a working form.
It is in this connection that modern techniques of metal joining may play such an important part. Expensive components in magnesium and aluminium alloys will often repay the repair work necessary to restore them to service, provided that the methods used do not result in distortion, or entail expensive machining operations as a consequence of badly controlled melting practice.
The Lenssens process, operated by Grey's Automobile Engineers, and described in a recent issue of The Commercial Motor, commends itself particularly for this type of work, as it is carried out at low temperatures and is amenable in a wide degree to fine metallurgical control. An accompanying illustration shows a group of damaged parts prior to repair. They are for service use.
Ambulance Business Benefits Agents
THE impetus to buy ambulances, which is bringing a welcome boon in this type of business to agents, who are badly in need of even so small a fillip, continues. In Aberdeen, the fish trade is to purchase four ambulances for A.R.P. services. Funds for this fleet will he subscribed for from the entire Aberdeen trade, which is one of the richest in Scotland.
Goodyear Goes Ahead in Plymouth
ONE of the enterprises the completion of which the war has delayed is the erection of the new Plymouth showrooms, offices and garage, etc., of the Goodyear Tyre and Rubber Co.. Ltd. This fine three-storey building on a centrally situated site in Summerland Place, is now approaching the final stage, and, when finished, it will be a noteworthy addition to the trade premises of the city.
CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE WELCOMED
DISCUSSING current road-transport topics at a recent meeting of the Heighley branch • of the C.M:U.A.'s North-eastern DiVision, Mr. G. H. Brook, secretary, made hopeful comments on the setting up of a road-transport consultative committee by the
Minister of Transport. e There appeared to be some hope, said Mr. Brook, that whilst the immediate purpose of the committee was to deal with war-time problems, it might also give attention to the question of road transport's position after the war, and formulate measures for preventing a recurrence of the chaotic conditions which arose after the termination of the 1914-18 war.
The creation of the committee, remarked Mr. Brook, suggested that the Minister of Transport had confidence in the road-transport industry's ability to conduct its affairs in the best interests of the nation.
Good Support for C.M.U.A. Contingency Fund LARGE road-transport concerns and smaller operators have joined its supporting the contingency fund opened by the cormnittee of the North-eastern Division of the C.M.T_T.A. for the purpose of giving immediate financial aid to any member of the Division requiring it by reason of serious damage to his premises through enemy action, such as air raids. Many concerns have written heartily commending the plan to give help so as to tide over the period between damage to an operator's premises and the payment of compert, sation by the Government, the fund being reimbursed when such compensation is received. Subscriptions received up to• September 14 tetalled about £1,000, made up of amounts ranging. from 10s. 6d. to 60 guineas.
Success of Smith Group Spitfire Fund I N connection with the Smith Group Spitfire Fund, S. Smith and Sons (Motor Accessories), Ltd., Edgware Road, London, N.W.2, appealed to all its workpeople in its group of companies, during the month of August, to contribute to the fund, confining it to the four wages days in that month. .A sum of £5,000 was the aim, hut so successful was the effort that on the last day of August the company was able to hand to Lord Beaverbrook the sum of £6,563. This excellent contribution came entirely from the workpeople, staff and directors, and no sums were added by the parent company or any of its associates. The contribution of K.L.G. Sparking Plugs, Ltd., was substantial and added materially to the success of the fund.
Life in the R.A.S.C.
NO other branch of the Services makes such a strong appeal to those interested or engaged in the commercial-motor world as does the Royal Army Service Corps. Responsible as it is for the care and movement of our ground forces and being essentially a mobile body, it is attracting large numbers of drivers who in peace time have handled all types of vehicle from delivery vans to 15-tonners.
Before the war concludes many more will join the R.A.S.C. To these potential recruits a series of articles now running in The Motor should make con siderable appeal. Under the general heading of '' Realities of the R.A.S.C." these articles describe the reactions Of a popular writer in peace time who has been through all stages from private to commissioned officer, and give an intimate pen picture of things which the recruit most wants to know.
The series commenced in the issue of The Motor of September 4, and will be published weekly for some time to come.
Invasion and Road Traffic
AN official notice has been issued by IVIr. Thomas Johnston, M.P., Regional Commissioner for Civil Defence for Scotland, stating that, in the event of invasion being attempted by the enemy, he may find it necessary
to issue directions under the Defence (General) Regulations, 1939, to limit the number of vehicles using the roads so that the movement of military or other essential traffic is not hampered. The movement of private vehicles may be drastically restricted. .
There will he the minimum interference with other vehicles, essential to the life of the community, subject to the military needs of the immediate situation.
Notice will be given to the public if it becomes necessary to issue such directions in the Scotland region. The present notice is issued merely so that the pnblic may he aware of measures which might become necessary in certain circumstances, • David Brown Tractor Demonstrated in Scotland
THE first Scottish demonstration of the David Brown tractor, complete with hydraulic lift, was given at the West of Scotland Agricultural College ground, Auchincruive, near Ayr,on
on September 13. The tractor easily carried out the duties allocated to it. The main distributor of this tractor for central and south-west Scotland is MacNeill Tractors, Ltd., of Glasgow and Stirling. GOVERNMENT NT GAS-PRODUCE R ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE
AS announced in our issue dated August 30, a one-day conference on the operation of vehicles, by .producer gas is to be held under the _auspices of the Government Producer Gas Plant Licensees Association, at Caxton Hall, Westminster, London, S.W.1, on Thursday (September 26), commencing at 10 a.m.
The programme will comprise discussions on a number of important matters relating to the use of producer gas. These are to include the following subjects :—(1) The training and encouragement of drivers; this discussion will be opened by Mr. G. F. Eustace, A.C.I.S., secretary of the Association, and of Worldwin Products, Ltd.; (2) advantages of various types of filter, opener Dr. E. T. Wilkins, Ph.D., of. the Department•of Scientific and Industrial Research; (3) available fuels and their suitability, opener Mr. T. F, Hurley, B.Sc., A.M.I.C.E., of the Fuel Research 'Station; (4) the use of producers with converted compression-ignition engines, using (a) spark ignition and (b) ignition by oil injection; (5) compression ratios and axle ratios, opener Mr. E. Hyde, chief engineer Northern Motor Utilities, Ltd.; (6) the use of producers on goods vehicles, private cars, and public-service vehicles.
It is anticipated that there will he a good attendance and that many persons will take part in the discussions. Speakers, excluding openers, will be limited to five minutes. The morning and afternoon sessions will be conducted under the chairmanship, respectively, of Mr. G. F. Fry, chairman of the Association and of Fry Brothers, Ltd., and Mr. C. S. Gardner, A.M.I.Mech.E., of Sentinel Waggon Works (1936), Ltd, The addreSs of the Association is 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W.1.
Scottish Haulier's Death
WE regret to learn of the death of Mr. John W. Brown, one of the partners in the firm of Messrs. Alex. Brown, haulage contractors, of Symington. Mr. Brown was a 'prominent haulier in Scotland.
IDENTIFICATION OF ENEMY AIR CRAFT
" A IRCRAFT IDENTIFICATION, tt Fart II," just published by The Aeroplane contains detailed information on 17 British aeroplanes and 18 German aeroplanes likely to be seen over this country and not already dealt with in the first part of this series. The types of aeroplane illustrated with photographs and silhouettes include troop-carriers, bombers and seaplanes of the German Air Force, bomber transports, flying-boats and trainers of the Royal Air Force, and seaplanes of the Fleet Air Arm.
Now that the air war has spread over this country, positive identification of any aeroplanes in the sky becomes a matter of vital importance and without informed knowledge confusion may arise not only between British and German fighters and bombers, but among the training machines as well. " Aircraft Identification, Part II," clears up these points and with five silhouettes and four photographs of each type provides all the necessary data for accurate recognition.
" Aircraft Identification, Part II," contains 155 silhouette drawings and 140 photographs of 35 different aeroplanes, together with comprehensive information on the colour scheme, armament, crew, dimensions and performance of each type. It is published by Temple Press Ltd., Bowling Green Lane, London, E.C.1, at 2s. net.
Scottish Workers' Wages Advance
AN agreement has been reached between the Scottish Horse and Motormen's Association and railway contractors whereby the wages of 2,000 employees will be increased by 23. per week, retrospective to July 1. This settlement follows an appeal by the Association to the National Arbitration Tribunal for an advance of 4s. on the plea that the general contractors were paying more than the railway contractors.
The Tribunal will issue an award on the application by the Association to obtain for men in the service of general contractors in Edinburgh the same rates as are paid by general contractors in other parts of Scotland.
CENTRALIZED FIRE SCHEME CRITICIZED
A RESOLUTION protesting against Pi Ayrshire County Council's scheme to centralize the fire protection for Skelmorlie and Fairlie at Dairy was unanimously passed at a meeting of West Kilbride District Council. It was decided to send the resolution to the Secretary of State for Scotland. The protest was supported by the Earl of Glasgow, convener of the county council.
The county council had previously turned down the services of the near-by Largs Burgh Brigade, and decided to
use Dahy as its centre. Dairy is 19 miles from Skelmorlie and 9 miles from Fairlie.
The Earl of Glasgow said that it seemed absurd that the Dalry Brigade should come such distances to the two villages when the Largs Brigade was so near. This meant that householders in Auchenmade Drive, Large, half a mile from the burgh fire station, would, in the event of fire, apparently have to summon the Dairy Brigade 10 miles away.