Motordom

Southland Times, Issue 22345, 9 June 1934, Page 13

Motordom

News & Wotes

OF GENERAL INTEREST ON THE ROAD AND ON THE WING. THE LATEST HAPPENINGS. More Motor Cycles. In most statements of improved business, motor car and motor cycle manufacturers necessarily rely on their own sales figures to the trade, rather than on.retail sales to the public, says our English motor correspondent writing on April 24. B.S.A. Cycles Ltd., however, undertake a periodical “census” of machines sold from dealers’ premises, and the information thus obtained shows that during the last two weeks retail sales showed an increase of 77 per cent over the corresponding fortnight last year, whilst the week before Easter was 76 per cent better than the best week of 1933. The works’ production for the first eight months of the 1934 season is 65 per cent up on last year—in other words the machines are being sold to the public faster than, on the average, they are being made! The Inventor of the Motor Car. A monument was unveiled recently to Gottlieb Daimler, the inventor of the motor car. The ceremony took place at Schrondorf, in Wurtemberg, where Daimler was born 100 years ago. Herr Daimler was the first man to realize the possibility of using the lighter part of paraffin (afterwards called petrol) as a convenient portable fuel and to design an engine which would not only use that fuel but which would itself be light enough to be used in a private carriage. Fifty years ago he took out a patent for a motor engine with spark ignition and in 1896 the licence to develop this and Daimler’s original patents was acquired by the British firm which bears his name. On the acquisition of the patents, however, the Daimler company, which has been entirely British since its inception, progressed quite independently of the original designer, who, in fact, died in 1900. British Bid fo. Success. Racing car manufacturers in Great Britain and many Continental countries are already making preparations for the Le Mans 24-hour race, which will this year be held on June 16 and 17. The event is generally considered to be the most important long-distance race in the world. The principal award, the Rudge-Whitworth Cup, has been won by foreign cars for several years past, but this year Great Britian has an excellent chance of success. To be eligible for this trophy, drivers must have completed the previous year’s race at a speed in excess of the set minimum. Last year K. S. Peacock and A. Von der Becke, driving a Riley, finished fourth on time at an average of nearly 20 m.p.h. faster than the minimum and, incidentally, gained the highest marks on handicap of any entrant. They are driving a similar car in this year’s event and if they repeat last year’s performance are certain winners. Amongst other Riley entrants are Freddie Dixon, who will drive with Cyril Paul, S. H. Newsome and D. McClure, and two French pairs, Mm. Gas and Trevoux and Mm. Sebileau and Delaroche. April’s Here! All the articles in the April “Riley Record” are worthy of attention. Under the spell of the restless spirit of spring “Romany” says that a caravan holiday is enjoyable and inexpensive. It seems that this caravanning business Bids fair to break all records during the coming English season. It has taken some little time for the average motorist to become educated up (or should one say “down?”) to this solution to the holiday accommodation problem, but the job may now be said to have been accomplished. “Romany” proceeds on the theory that “there is something of the gipsy in most of us,” and no doubt he is correct. Anyhow I’ve decided to go “sun-chasing” this year with “Romany”; not in flower-flecked English meadows, but in our own countryside with its rich, and I’m afraid, often unappreciated beauty. “Le Conducteur” in the “Cruise of the Kestral,” has also become afflicted with this get-out-into-the-open-air mania. He writes about a ramble over Europe, and paints some pretty word pictures. Spain attracted him—very much so. It has he says, “a lure of its own, radiant cloudless skys, soft air and golden sunshine all the year round; the sweet scent of roses in December and January is rather delightful after the somewhat dreary trip across France.” I regard this account of the Spain of Cervantes as a first-rate aperitif for a sterner guidebook course. I hope I have the good luck to come across another April number such as this. Lost Arts. With the passing of years, in every sphere machines take the place of men and beasts. The camera supplants the artist, the loom, the weaver; the horse is ceasing to be a beast of burden. Craftsmen turn their hands, regretfully, to other tasks when a machine is invented which can do their work just as well (or “near enough”) in a fraction of the time. Slowly but surely, arts and crafts which develop and flourish for centuries are passing into the limbo of forgotten things. Driving a motor car was once, is still, an art. But it is fast being simplified to such an extent that presently it will consist of a series of automatic actions governed subconsciously by the brain. In the dawn of the motoring era much had to be learned before one could take a car on the road. Starting from rest was an art; applying the brakes : called for skill and judgment; gearchanging was a positive ritual. Gear changing, particularly, is becoming a lost art. Men and women are taking the road who never knew, and never need learn, the secrets of double-declutch-ing. There are motorists to-day who 1 cannot recall the days when there were ] no such things as windscreen-wipers, < who regard as tiresome old bores those • with archaic recollections of the days 1 before balloon tyres, detachable wheels, front-wheel brakes or windscreens were adopted. To-day the need for skill in gear-changing is fast disappear- : ing. Clutches engage themselves, i Brakes are so smooth and powerful 1 that they act in any emergency. Need : we, however, mourn the passing of the ’ old order? Surely it is a better thing ! that our minds should be untroubled < by thoughts of gear-changing, and able ] to concentrate on driving safely at all 1 times? And that our hands should be 1 free to steer and to perform such sim- 1 pie actions as are still called for to con- i trol a car in safety? The dying out of no 1 art need be regretted when it results s in the greater safety of every user of the road.' 1 "

UNCLE JOHN BULL BONDS OF EMPIRE. TRAVEL AND SENTIMENT. “Uncle John Bull,” London, has written an open Empire Day letter to “Nephew Kiwi,” New Zealand. The letter, which is as follows, appears by courtesy of Mr A. W. Hawley, Wellington, New Zealand representative of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, Ltd., London. , My Dear Kiwi, I recall writing you just about this : time two years ago, expressing certain ’ thoughts regarding matters of mutual , interest. Certain suggestions _ were . made as to your future actions in re- , spect to trade. How pleased and . really grateful I am to note the very J practical manner in which you have t responded to some of my suggestions. ; As you will probably have read in your newspapers, old Uncle John Bull has passed through some extremely hectic times since last writing. I am still working very hard and am still smiling. You, also, have been sorely ( tried, and have had your worrying mo- , ments—l think that you have done re- ' markably well to weather the _ storm ' as well as you have done, considering ! all the circumstances. Better Tinies Coining. I really believe, Kiwi, that the far [ horizon looks brighter, and that better [ times are ahead of us. This prompts one or two further suggestions in an j endeavour to hasten the return to ! more prosperous conditions. Your prosperity is nearer and dearer to my ’ old heart than you can really imagine. ; Frankly, I should hate to become ’ prosperous and to have to feel that ’ you were not enjoying an equal mea--1 sure of prosperity. But if we take the broad view and act together in close ' co-operation during the next year or ; two, our Empire will emerge from its troubles stronger than ever; stronger, and very much wiser. I am sure the day is long past when you regard me as a veritable Father Christmas. You have emerged from your childhood stage, when you believed in such things as Father Christ- ; mas. You, in your maturity, realize that times are too hard and competition throughout our troubled world is too keen and severe for us to be lax in our business relationship and to lean on sentiment. It would do neither of us any good. Business is business, but on the other hand I hope I will never live to believe that oft repeated statement that “there is no sentiment in business.” I think business is full of sentiment. At the same time, whatever we do must be sound business, and whatever arrangements we may make together should be as far as we can possibly assure of a permanent nature. As you can imagine, Kiwi, I have vast commercial and financial dealings spreading through the length and breadth of the world. Many nations are, at present, trying to persuade old Uncle John Bull by all sorts of weird and wonderful offers to give them certain privileges on my markets per medium of my recently imposed customs duties. In the true spirit of honest business and reciprocity, I intend to deal with them all fairly as time goes on. I must buy from those who buy from me. Similarly, I am determined to treat you fairly, as I have done in the past, in all matters relating to reciprocal trade agreements. Really, my boy, I hate the term trade agreements as between uncle and his nephews, but as things are, it has to be. Let me repeat, Kiwi, that I do really appreciate the manner in which you have tried to live up to your obligations under the Ottawa Agreement. I know that I can confidently expect further consideration on your markets for the products of my manufacturing industries when your worthy Government has had time to come to decisions on this all-important matter. Key Motor Industry. I am naturally deeply concerned at the prospects of certain of my key industries on the world’s markets, especially on Empire markets, and I should like to say a few words about my highly important motor industry. As you know, this industry had a colossal task in its endeavour to regain equilibrium, after being completely and absolutely disorganized during the period of the Great War. Through the courage and perseverance of its leaders, I am sure you will be delighted to learn that, during recent years despite intense competition my motorvehicle industry is in a flourishing and progressive state. It employs over 1,000,000 Britishers who might otherwise be on the dole. ' During 1933, my motor vehicle manufacturers exceeded all previous records in the history of the industry, both in production and export, even including the previous record or “peak” year of 1929. Without any blare of trumpets or questionable business tactics this industry is going ahead slowly but surely, purely and simply on the merits and honest value embodied in the goods it produces. Such customs tariff protection as certain of my Empire Governments give me is much appreciated. It is badly needed, for my foreign rivals are very powerful. By buying motor vehicles of United Kingdom manufacture you are not only buying the world’s best motor vehicles in their class, but in addition, you are buying something more that is very real. You are buying bonds of Empire; you are buying mutual _ safety; you are subscribing to the heritage represented by a strong and healthy British Empire. And, last but not least, you are helping my work people into employment, helping to place them into the position of being able to purchase and consume your butter, cheese, meat,- honey and apples. Every single person who purchases a motor vehicle of United Kingdom manufacture is doing all these things. By actually owning a vehicle built by my work people, he is emphasising to his fellow-men in the most practical manner possible that he has pulled his weight. He possesses pride of race; he recognises quality when he sees it; he appreciates economical motoring; in all respects he is a discriminating motorist. United Kingdom Exports.

My foreign rivals’ activities during recent months, I see, have had the effect of slightly weakening my position on your market. For the year 1932 my percentage of your total sales was 62 per cent., whereas for the year 1933 ; it has fallen slightly to 60 per cent. For the first quarter of 1933 my percentage was 68 per cent., but for the first quarter of 1934 it has fallen to 60 per cent. I am happy to know that my position, even on the lower figure, is still strong, and my earnest hope is that you will see that it is strengthened. Permit me to warn you again, Kiwi, to be sure that, whatever you buy, is

not just “British,” this is very important. Many classes of goods, some even of foreign origin, are branded “British made,” and many of your people, I understand, are buying such goods, thinking that, when they buy an article branded “British,” it is made in the United Kingdom. That is, of course, the reason why some unscrupulous manufacturers are using this term, “British made,” with the result that my manufacturers are losing countless thousands of pounds worth of business that it was intended they should enioy. Some people say that after the Ottawa Agreement expires I either cannot or I will not make separate trade agreements with my various Empire nephews. But let me tell you, Kiwi, that they just do not know anything about it. The truth is I have not yet really quite decided myself one way or the other, but I will give you a ouiet hint about it. I think that when the time comes it would be only fair to treat each case on its merits, and to consider each of my nephews according to the extent to which each lives up to the spirit of the Ottawa Agreement. This is not by any means a threat or a promise: it is merely a suggestion.

I do not want to be forced to enter into trade agreements with foreign countries to the detriment of you or any of my Empire nephews. But if, by your own actions, you permit other countries, and foreign countries at that, to do better for my manufacturers than you are prepared to do, then you place me in a awkward position. You force me to be more liberal in my reciprocal arrangements with them. During 1932, of the goods in which my manufacturers could compete, you purchased 34 per cent, from other countries, representing nearly six million pounds worth of business, which you could have given me. This puzzles and really troubles me. Britain’s Mercantile Marine. Think, also, of my melcantile marine, the strength of which is absolutely vital to the safety of our Empire. I am told that last year something like 50 per cent., or half the total number of my ships that sailed from here to New Zealand for the purpose of loading your primary produce for disposal on my markets sailed from here in ballast—with no cargo at all. This is a very dangerous state of affairs for both of us, which I think you will admit. Far too many of my ships are laid up, and large numbers of trained officers of my mercantile marine, many of whom served us so splendidly during the World War, are working as deck hands and in any possible capacity in order to earn a living. Others have no living at all. Increased purchases by you of my manufactured goods will directly strengthen this dangerously weak link. The resultant benefits would be such that you would never have cause for regret. I do hope that I have not appeared to be grizzling or grouching—l really do appreciate all you have done, and if you continue to “pull your weight” you may rely upon your old Uncle to do the best he can for you. Good luck, Kiwi, my boy. I shall probably write you again, possibly prior to the expiration of the Ottawa Treaty. Meantime, with my fondest thoughts and sincere good wishes, Your affectionate Uncle, John Bull. ROAD ACCIDENTS CONSIDERATION NECESSARY. AN ENGLISH VIEW. Many of the road accidents to-day are caused by someone, motorist or pedestrian, fai’ing in a quality we all like to think we possess—consideration. If every road user—motorist, cyclist, and pedestrian—lived up to his own estimation of himself, the number of accidents would automatically be reduced, for the lack of consideration on someone’s part is often the primary cause of a collision, says a writer in “The Autocar.” If every accident could be analysed, it would undoubtedly be found that many of them are indirectly due to someone thinking only of himself. The parties involved in the accident may be quite innocent in this respect; in fact, the responsible party may not even be near the scene. People who erect illuminated signs where they may be mistaken for traffic signals are an example; dog owners who allow their

pets to stray are another, and motorists who leave their cars in awkward places a third. The driver who overtakes a slower vehicle and cuts in to avoid another approaching from the opposite direction shows lack of consideration towards a fellow-motorist. It may be quite safe for the man who cuts in, but, if the occupant of the overtaken car is at all nervous, he may brake violently and so bring about an accident of which the inconsiderate driver may know nothing. When we see a pedestrian leisurely crossing the road, it is our duty to presume that he or she cannot walk faster, and act accordingly. Everyone knows what is meant by consideration for others; unfortunately, everyone does not practise it.