OPINIONS and QUERIES
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CAN PSYCHIATRISTS HELP TO RESTORE THE WILL TO WORK?
'THETHE only way for us to return to our former is for those employed in industry to make a consistent effort. Here we come against a difficult problem—the lack of the will to work.
I recently visited an imporbnt engineering works near Leeds where 2,000 people are employed, and I had a long conversation with a senior works superintendent—
a man with over 40 years' experience. He told me that he had urged the shop stewards a little while ago to get the workers to make greater efforts to increase pro
duction. An amicable argument followed as to the . number. of hours of the eight daily that were really worked on an average by each man. In the superinten dent's opinion, no employee did more than four hours of actual work each day. Of course, the shop stewards disagreed, but I believe the superintendent's view to be correct.
Imagine what it means. The company has to pay fen 8,000 hours which have not been worked, and its output is but half of what it could be. How is it possible, under such conditions, to make engineering products at a price enabling us to compete with other countries? The will to work is absent, except amongst a minority of men of the older generation, who are loyal to their employers and do a real day's work.
When I "served my time" in the 'nineties, men worked a 54-hour week. None complained, all were contented, happy men. What a change has come upon the scene. Although the times have altered, this should be no reason for dawdling, clock-watching and thinking only of Friday s pay packet, with no interest in one's work and no thought of loyalty to one's employers. This malady is not justa result of what happened to Britain in July, 1945, altholigh it has worsened since that unhappy event Another problem this superintendent told me of was that boys, instead of coming along to be apprentices in factories, prefer to take light and clean jobs at which, even if they do not become skilled men with an assured future, they can initially earn high wages. Thus there is a dearth of young workers to replace the old.
One can only hope that industrialists will tackle this state of matters, perhaps with the help of psychiatrists, to endeavour to find a solution.
Leeds NORTHERN ENGINEER:" THE ROAD TRANSPORT INDUSTRY MUST DISPLAY UNITY THERE is much wisdom and much truth in the saying I that "Unity is Strength," and if ever the road transport industry needed that unity then it certainly does now.
Why, then, does the Hauliers' Mutual Federation seek to undermine this unity by advising its members againit the proposals and recommendations put forward by the R.H.A. in its alternative R.H.O. scheme?
Is it professional advice or professional jealousy? I do not doubt for one moment that the H.M.F. has anything but the best intentions, but if it really has the welfare of its members well and truly at heart, then think it should "toe the line "—at least until the Battle of Nationalization has been fought and won.
Any diversity of opinion, especially among our leaders, will, at this stage, greatly jeopardize our chances of winning this vital battle. . F. PARKIN, Eccles. A PLEA FOR 6-VOLT TRA FFICAT ORS
A S manufacturers of direction indicators, the plea for the 6-volt type, submitted to you by Mr. J. Abbott in your issue dated July 5, has been read with interest. The production situation in regard to such indicators is that we are making them, but it will be remembered that during the war production of these was stopped
as being a non-essential item. Since the end of hostilities we have endeavoured to resume partial production with saint success, but have been inundated with weighty export orders to which our limited, but increasing production is being devoted.
Deliveries to the trade and commercial users of Trico direction indicators is at present dependent upon additional labour and sufficient raw materials, aggravated by shortage of festoon bulbs for the indicator arms, but we anticipate at the time of writing that we shall shortly be able to increase our production sufficiently to permit general supplies suitable for private cars and commercial vans.
In passing we would, however, like to confirm that our associated company, Hunt Safetisigns, Ltd., has for some time past been engaged in the supply of commercial model direction indicators suitable for 6-, 12-, 24and 35-volt operation, but these incorporate a I2-in. Indicator arm and are mainly designed for use on coaches and buses. PAUL N. MATTON, Brentford; Middlesex. Managing Director.
(For Trico-Folberth, Ltd.) DIRECTOR INDICATORS SHOULD BE MORE EFFICIENT WAS a tittle surprised to read a letter in "The I Commercial Motor" dated July 5 concerning a demand for 6-volt direction indicators.
A good many old-timers on commercial vehicles dislike such equipment, which they consider was invented for the lazy and tired driver, who thinks it too much trouble to give an efficient hand signal.
Many of the mechanical signals cause trouble because they do not return after use, although some are supposed to be self-returning. At the same time, I have not forgotten the usefulness of such devices at night, if they be properly used, because they light up and show more clearly than the hand.
Much of the dislike to their use could be overcome if the self-returning devices were more effieient Now one has to drive only a few miles to see these indicators sticking out all over the place. I recently watched one vehicle which travelled five miles before the indicator arm was returned to the "clear" position.
Lightwater T. BLAKE
PARK! NG ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS' COACHES
AS a result of negotiations between the Ministry of Works and this Chamber of Commerce, motor coaches bringing provincial visitors to the Zoological Gardens (50 per day in the peak months of August and September) will, in future, be permitted to park in Cumberland Market. This can accommodate 25, and when it is full the filled-in portion of the Grand Union Canal in Regent's Park can be used as an overflow to take a further 45 coaches.
Previously these coaches, after setting down their visitors, were obliged to cruise around London looking for parking places as far away as Westminster Bridge 'until it was time for their return journeys.
In June last We attended the office of the Secretary to the Minister of Works and on July 24 I received a letter notifying me that permission had been officially granted for coaches to park on the sites named. We all feel that we have not only eased the position of the drivers, but have made a valuable contribution to the traffic-congestion problem in the central area of the
Metropolis. A. SWINNERTON-BEET, Secretary
London, N.W.1. (For St. Pancras Chamber of Commerce.)
A DISCLAIMER CONCERNING A LETTER
WITH reference to the letter "Accommodation for " Drivers Has Much Improvtd," published in your issue dated July 5 and signed "Harry Packer,of Epsom, I would like to say that the writer of that letter is in no way connected with myself.
Chessington, HARRY PACKER, JUNR. Surrey.
UNFAIR DISCRIMINATION IN IMPORT LICENCES
WE are of the opinion that the subject contained in the accompanying material speaks for itself; we also
feel certain that you will agree this decision calls for comment. This Socialist Government appears to be doing everything it can to damn our industry, and we are wondering if it occurs to it that the motor industry is the third largest in the country.
Stratford-on-Avon. H. CLAYTON-WRIGHT.
(For Howard Clayton-Wright, Ltd.)
[The matter to which Mr. Clayton-Wright refers concerns the seal for a well-known type of water pump used in connection with the cooling of motor vehicles, agricultural tractors, stationary pumps, etc. It was the intention. when negotiating and acquiring the licence for this seal as a British product, to produce 95 per cent. of the article here and purchase one minor part—a small barbon ring— from the company's associates in America. Although the amount involved in the purchase of this ring is nominal, a licence to import has been refused. The American product costs 20., with no tool charge, whereas the only English counterpart which would be suitable is charged for at Is. 6d., plus at least £150 in the first instance as part cost of tools. This expense rules out themanufacture of the complete article in Britain. Yet recently import licences to the value of 0,000,000 have been granted for over 50 items, such as lipsticks, toys, jewellery. etc.—En.] A FRENCH CONTEMPORARY EXPLAINS ITS IMPARTIAL VIEWS
IN "Passing Comments," in your issue dated July 12,
you had a paragraph entitled ." French View on Personal Nature of Haulage." This refers to a French journal devoted to commercial road transport, and it is obviously intended to mean "La Vie des Transports."
We were very flattered to be cited in your interesting publication, but would point out that we are impartial in respect of transport problems. On the technical side, we may sometimes 'show favour to road or air transport, but from the point of view of economics our line is to find out the exact share of traffic that ought to be given to each means. The proof of our impartiality may be found in the fact that one of our directors is Francois 011ive, who was Director of Transports in our " Ministere des Travaux Publics et des Transports," and the writer is actually " Rapporteur de la Commission dc Modernisation des Transports. Interieurs,",in charge of preparing the plan of ecinipment of French transport for the next five years.
The fact that we have published a special number on road transport does not change our views. It was issued because the public in France does not appear to know the full meaning and ramifications of that important profession.
Our letter shows that we carefully read and appreciate your publication, and we hope that we shall retain the
best relations with you. ERIK D'ORNHJELM,
Paris. Director.
(For "La Vie des Transports.") DOES THE R.H.A.
KEEP A BLACK LIST?
I ENCLOSE copy of a note published in the "Daily I Herald" of July n under the heading "Swaffer Says
. . ," also of a reply sent to that journal by Mr.
F. F. Fowler, chairman of the Metropolitan Area of this Association. By August 1, the date of writing, this reply does, not appear to have been published in the "Daily Herald."
FRANCIS R. LYON.
(For Director, Road Haulage Association.) London, W.1.
The remarks made by Swaffer were as follow:— " How far, even in 1946, are Britons free to express
an opinion? Vested interests are powerful.
"1 have been sent, anonymously, a circular letter posted to all members in the Metropolitan Area of the Road Haulage Association urgently appealing for 'a large number of cars with drivers to assist the Conservative candidates in Bexley and Battersea North.'
"We had this sent to us to-day' is scribbled on the back. 'We dare not send our names, or we may get black-listed in our district.'" Mr. Fowler's Reply
Mr. Hannen Swaffer accuses this Association of denying freedom of expression to its members because of the receipt by him of an anonymous complaint against a request to supply cars toassist Conservative candidates in Bexley and Battersea North.
Mr. Swaffer knows perfectly well that all parties in an election appeal for the loan of cars from their supporters. This democratically organized Association (and none
more so) has, by the free vote of its members, unanimously decided to fight the nationalization of transport. It will, therefore, continue its support, at every by-election, of the candidate who shares its views, irrespective of the party
Concerned. .
Unlike the trades unions, this Association has no means
for disciplining its members, nor has it any "black list." If Mr. Swaffer's anonymous correspondent disapproves of the policy of the Association, he can resign from it. It would appear that he has not the moral courage to stand up in its councils and oppose the policy with which he disagrees, nor to resign from it, because of its value to him in the operation of his business. These appear to be the two reasons for the withholding of his name from his letter.
Finally, may I commend to Mr. Swaffer the biblical lesson of the "mote and beam."
Which trade union was it the members of which recently held up London's meat supplies because three of its erstwhile members had seen fit to leave its ranks?
Which trade union is compelling the L.P.T.B. to main tain employees in idleness because they dared to join a rival union?
Which trade union calls " stooges " and "traitors." and finally drives from its ranks, those of its members who dare to take a stand against the policy of nationalization forced upon them by their leaders? Mr. Swaffer should ponder these facts before making accusations against the employers.