MOTORING

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 209, 5 September 1939, Page 14

MOTORING

EUROPE'S LINE-UP.

MOTORS IN WARTIME.

SUPPLY OF PETROL,

TRANSPORTATION SERVICES. Some time ago the Minister of Transport mentioned, in effect, that in time of emergency, such as of war. the whole population of New Zealand could be transported by t lie Dominion's motor fleet which is now over the .'300,000 mark, or about six people to every vehicle. The .Minister did not mention the question of fuel supplies for our motor fleet or what would happen if supplies were interrupted as they would be in the event of a general war with belligerent countries requiring available supplies. However, that is by the way.

Apart altogether from petrol and oil supplies which, alone, would give cause for thought in New Zealand, as if any supplies were available and the sea routes were free rationing would have to be put into effect, there would be the serious threat to the use of road transport by lack of replacement parts.

It is generally agreed that automotive transportation of men. munition*, etc.. will play a vital part in any major hostilities in Kurope. consequently recently issued statistical information relative to the vehicles available to the respective European countries will be of interest.

At the beginning of 1(135). there were cars, trucks and buses operating in Kuropp (including Great Britain), and. in addition 2 ..">O7. ISO motor cvcles.

Poland, at present, is the centre of | world-wide attention, consequently that country's automotive situation is of particular interest. With an area of 1.10,000 | square miles, that country has only 41.948 motor vehicles, or about one car or truck to every 800 inhabitants, as compared with Australia (3.000,000 square miles i, one car or commercial motor vehicle to every 8.5 people. At .launary 1. 1030, Poland had 24,550 cars. 1<» taxi-cabs. 10.144 motor trucks and 203,S buses. In addition, she had 12,0(11 motor cycles registered. During recent years, the Polish Government has spent large >ihii- on the improvement of her major highways. Rumania has 20.500 cars. 7250 trucks, including about 3000 buses. She also has 1300 motor cycles. Hungary has 17.250 cars and 4800 trucks, embracing some 000 buses. In addition, about 10.000 motor cycles*. Bulgat'ia has only some 2700 cars. 1700 trucks and buses (not including military vehicles). and 1500 motor cycles. Greece lias 0500 cars, 5100 trucks. 2200 buses and about 1000 motor cycles. Yugoslavia has 13.380 cars, 4353 t rucks and 000 buses. She also has 7802 motor cycles. Turkey, at the beginning of 103 S. had 3443 cars. .>317 trucks. 724 buses and about 1000 motor cycles. Switzerland's latest figures are 72.500 cars, 20.000 trucks, 1700 buses, and 20,000 motor cycles. Russia has made considerable progress in motor production during the last two years, most attention being concentrated oil the manufacture of trucks and mechanised units at the Stalin factory at Moscow, the Molotoff works in Gorky and the small plant at Yaroslavl. The output of these plants during 1038 ranged from 10.000 to 18.000 units a month. At the end of 1038 the Soviet had in service 85.387 cars, and 502.010 trucks, or 077.007 motor vehicles, excluding motor cycles. Tn view of the present European situation it is worthy of note that a special asphalt-concrete motor road was recently completed between Moscow and Minsk, which is not far from the Polish border. I lie length of this motor road, which has virtually no rail crossings and was evidently built with regard to possible use for military purposes, is 432 miles Germany, including Austria, had last July 1.305.008 cars. 3K1.000 trucks. 20.702 buses—in all 1.707.4' Mi units. In addition, she had 1.582.872 motor cycles. Italy has 303,000 ears. 85.875 trucks and 9!)00 buses and 154,500 motor cycles. Spain, owing to the conditions prevailing at the beginning of 1030. has no official record 'if motor vehicles, either private or in military service. France has 1,750.000 cars, 500,000 trucks (including buses) and 512,900 motor cycles. Great Britain's latest figures show that 1,984.430 cars. 504.028 trucks and 80.410 buses, motor coaches and hackneys. and 402.430 motor cycles were registered at September last. The foregoing figures show that the democratic countries and those outside the Berlin-Rome axis have considerably more motor vehicles at their command than have the totalitarian States. What is more, the non-aggression interests will have available practically unlimited supplies of motor fuel for vehicles and aircraft, whereas the totalitarian countries are. in the event of a long war, likely to have to face shortages in liquid fuel.

NATIONAL DEFENCE.

PRIVILEGES FOR EMPLOYEES.

FORD COMPANY'S PLANS,

JOBS TO BE KEPT OPEN.

With tlie intention of ensuring that no Forfl employee shall be the worse financially through volunteering: for national defence, Ford Motor Company, Ltd.. have announced an extended list of ex gratia privileges which are to be accorded to all employees subject to obligations in regard to voluntary national defence service of any kind.

For the past three years the companv have paid to all men who have been in their employ for 12 months, who are reservists or who are voluntarily attached to any branch of national defence service, the difference between their pay while on a fortnight's annual training and Ford pay during that period. In addition, they have received their normal fortnight s holiday with pay. The same principle has now been applied to other circumstances in which volunteers may be called up, other than o-eneral mobilisation or war. Should such service be prolonged, the privilege will lie continued for two months and in a modified form if service is extended further.

Employee* have been further assured that no vacation privileges will be affected by their absence as a result of voluntary service obligations, and their qualifications for benefits under the Fcrd pension and benevolent fund will be safeguarded. Upon the cessation of any form of national defence service, everything will be done to ensure that, so far as practicable, every man is able to resume employment with the company.