FORD PLANT.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19451, 26 October 1928, Page 6

FORD PLANT.

FROM CORK TO MANCHESTER. Henry Ford is moving his automo-bile-making machinery from, Cork to Manchester. , • The "Manchester Guardian" says: "The machinery only recently set up in Cork has been taken down again and brought to England. Ford, for a good many years, had difficulties, owing to the British and Irish import duties on motor-cars and parts. Many cars assembled at Cork have to be .brought to England and'are required to pay British duty. On the other, hand. Ford products, if sent to Ireland, are faced with an Irish duty. Ford ha? come to the conclusion that the expense is unnecessary aid avoidable and, therefore, has decided upon a policy of concentration. Fifteen hundred men will be rendered idle in Cork owing to the transfer, but Ford will provide employment for them later. Tractors to be Built in Ireland. H. S. Cooper, general manager of Ford's automobile works in Manchester, referring to the transference of the manufacturing plant in Ireland to England, says it is intended to build Fordson tractors in Ireland. The Cork works are being temporarily employed in making parts for new cars. This is now to cease and, while cars and trucks are to " be made in England, Cork very shortly will concentrate on the manufacture of tractors. "It has been rather a slow process," Mr Cooper says, "but to-day in European countries the demand for

tractors is very considerable. Conser quently Ford has decided to manufacture tractors on a large scale for European market. , "It involves this change in the new plant at Cork, for' what is coming here is to be replaced by a special plant involving new capital expenditure Ford has stood the cost of the duties imposed here on Irish Free State products for four years' out of his own pofcket. Had he been a hardhearted business man he would have stopped Cork four years ago, before the time /has come to.put that, works on a different product." C COURTEOUS -WARNINGS. • For some time English motorists have been subjected to somewhat oppressive police tactics, it being rather apparent that the &ole idea was to secure convictions rather than prevent offences. , As a result of action by motor organisations instructions have now been issued to the London police which should result in a better spirit. 'The effect of issuing courteous warnings for trivial breaches is to receive a .fair trial and much will depend on the appreciative attitude of motorists. Following is the notice which is being issued by Scotland Yard _ "I am instructed by the Commissioner of the Metropolis to say that it lias been reported to him that—. After having given this matter, his careful consideration, the Commissioner has decided that he will in the present instance refrain from taking further steps. He. will, however, reel bound to take the circumstance into account if you should again be reported for an alleged offenoe."