The Times THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1942. Improved Rubber Prospect

Manawatu Times, Volume 67, Issue 256, 29 October 1942, Page 4

The Times THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1942. Improved Rubber Prospect

The prospect for users of rubber throughout the Allied Nations, appears to be improving as a result of, and to judge from the Baruch report presented to President Koosevelt a few weeks ago. The report is so titled from the name of its chairman, Mr. Bernard M. Baruch, one of America’s leading industrialists who headed a special Rubber Investigation Committee. Although highly critical upon a number of points, of the American Government’s handling of the rubber problem, the report nevertheless was welcomed and adopted by President Roosevelt. In regard to the conservation of rubber there are one or two features in it which provide useful suggestions for our own guidance. Firstly, advice is given that no speed above 35 miles an hour be permitted for passenger cars and trucks. In this way the life of tyres will be prolonged by nearly 40 per cent. Another recommendation is that compulsory periodic tyre inspection be instituted. A third recommendation was to restrict to 5000 miles a year the annual average mileage per car; which in America represents a reduction of 25 per cent. This does not mean that each has a right to 5000 miles. It applies to necessary driving as under petrol licensing in the Dominion.

Turning then to the subject of artificial rubber, the report makes a very interesting suggestion—namely that there should be produced a cheap rubber substitute termed thiokol, for the special purpose of making new tyres and retreads for civilian use. It is advised that retreads of this material are serviceable only when speeds are kept under 40 miles an hour but that with careful use they will last about 5000 miles. The committee considers it imperative, to maintain motor transport in civilian activities, quite apart from the use of the armed forces. Not to do so might contribute to “both a military and civilian collapse.” To ensure the carrying on of motor transport there is proposed an enlarged artificial programme to produce 1,100,000 tons and in order that production might be pushed on immediately, it is urged that rather than await the “perfect” artificial rubber, there should be instituted without delay a maximum production from such processes as are available, and as can be rapidly used in mass production with a least possible demand upon resources. From this and other reeent reports available from America there is gained the hope that there will be made available for essential motor transport needs in this country, a sufficient supply of rubber to keep us going. It is imperative of course that the Dominion should exercise a proper economy without paralysing motor transport. And it is likewise imperative that every pound of scrap rubber should be at once salvaged and carefully stored until used. With such action taken, and with such restrictions as are now enforced upon motor traffic in the Dominion, thex-e appears a very fair prospect of being able to maintain present standards. The provision of sufficient oil fuel to this end is not believed to be providing any serious problem to the Allied shipping resources.

Those Missing Teacups

Last week several letters in the local Press drew attention to an alleged ill service towards returned men in hospital trains. It was charged that the local Red Cross workers serving tea, sandwiches and cigai-ettes to these men were unable to secure sufficient cups for the purpose from the refreshment rooms at the local railway station, and furthermore, that some of the cups provided were cracked or handle-less although good cups were at the time available. On Monday there appeared a letter signed by the local president and the chairman of the executive of the Red Cross Society which read as follows, “the Society . . . wishes to disassociate itself completely from reeent correspondence on. the subject of refreshments at hospital trains. Any letters that have been published have been written without the knowledge or consent of the Society.” This statement is extremely noncommittal in that it neither confirms nor denies the accuracy of the charges made. Those were made by persons actually engaged in giving the service to the wounded men. The subject, therefore, cannot be regarded as closed. A reply must still be pressed for from those responsible at the refreshment rooms.