Page
SOCIALISED IRON AND
STEEL INDUSTRY
HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1934.
WELSH WATER
SCHEMES
Electric Soldering Irons
A scheme for the socialisation of the iron and steel industry.13 outlined in the report which the General Council, have prepared fer submission to the Trades Union Congress at Weymouth next month.' There would pro- bably be very little destre, the Council gay, to have the socialized industry "conducted as a State Department on the lines of the Post Office." "The possibility of international dinculties," they go on to say, "must be consider. ed in the case of an industry carrying on a highly competitive trade if such a form of organisa- tion were adopted. At the same timo, it would probably be thought unsuitable from the point of view of flexibility and freedom from the direct political Influence. The scheme put for ward by the Iron and Steel Trades Confederation itself pro- poses' to bring the industry with- in the control of a public corpora- tion, and, after full consideration, we believe this is the best form of gu: "tes. ьде best course from both technical and *Com- mercial points of view would pro- bably be to create, a board for each of the separate branches--- products: tinplates, and so on- there being ten or a dozen in all. e.g., pig-iron, ingots and semi- products, tinplates and so on- there being ten or a dozen n'all, the precise demarcation being
importance. It might take the form of redeemable stock, with- out, however, giving the ex-share- holderg any right of foreclosure. It might take the form of redeem- able Government bonds bearing fixed interest or the form of ter¬ minable annuities.”
The Corporation would have a board of about 10, appointed by the President of the Board of Trade "on the ground of their competence to conduct the affairs of the industry." Each of the large, divisions of the industry would have a "sectional board ap- pointed in the same way. Prices would be axed in conjunction with a body representing the in- terests of consumers. “As far as. foreign markets were concerned."" the Council say." prices would, of course, have to conform to those of competing nations, Whe- ther the central body should de permitted to charge higher home prices in order to subsidise foreign markets is a matter of general polley which goes far beyond the iron and steel industry‘Rself and, is a matter needing careful con- sideration. The extent also to which the home market for iron and steel products would be pro- tected is a matter for serious con- sideration in the case of a nation- alised industry."---
Although there has been a sub-
ENGINEERING & BUILDING
stantial rainfall in South Wales ENGINEERING ASPECTS
In recent weeks, the effects of the drought are still very much in .evidence. Reservoiry everywhere are low and many watercourses are still dry, although the danger, of water famine, so far as the populous areas are concerned, seems to have been passed. Rural areas, however, are still suffer- ing, especially in the high lime- "stane districts, where it is said that rainfall does not reach the wells, for several weeks. Mr. D. R.. Grenfell, M.P., in the course of an address on the 'National Wa- ter Supply" to the Workers' Edu- cational Association. Holiday School at Langland, Swansea, de- clared that a national water grid. "should be established. He said that water supplies were so ample that only the smallest proportion was needed but efficient distribu- tion was essential. One of the most serious features now was that 6.000 parishes in England and Wales depended on wells and springs which ran dry in periods of drought. Et.-Col H. F. Lea .C.M.G. DB.O., at a meeting of the Fereford Rural Council, thought that the council-should 'make a by-law making it compul- Bory for new houses to have pro- vision for conserving rain water. He expressed the view that most- rural water schemes were un- necessary if the people caught the rainfall from their roofs in gal-. vanised tanks. This point was
technical matter which would be LECTURES FOR MANAGERS referred to the Housing Commit-
determined by those who are charged with the direction and conduct of the industry. Each of these sections should have a considerable degree of internal autonomy, but it would be neces sary to have some machinery for co-ordinating them and for plan- 'hing the in, industry as a whole."
Compensation
The compensation to be paid to existing interests on the socialisa- tion of the‘Industry must depend, In the opinion of the Council, on the general circumstances pre- valling at the time of socialisa- tion.. **The basis of com- pensation might they say. "the net
-maintainable
well be," reasonable revenue of
the undertakings concerned, hay- ing regard also to whatever fin- ancial benefits have already been conferred on the industry by any other form of assistance, has materially improved the prospects of the industry, it would not be right that the public when taking over concerns should have to pay more on that account. The form to be taken by compensation 18,
in fact, not a matter of the first
4
AND FOREMEN
Two courses, each of ten dis- cussion classes, have been organi- ed by the National Institute of Industrial Psychology, to be held at their offices in Aldwych House, Aldwych, London, WC2" The sub- fect of the first couse is "The. Engagement, Training and Buper- vision of Workers," and the classes will be held at 6.15 p.m. on Tuesdays, starting on October 2, 1934. The second course 13 concerned with "Conditions and Methods of Work," and these classes also wil be held at 6.15 p.m.. on Tuesdays, starting on January 15, 1935. The courzes are plained for departmental and la- bour managers welfare superin- tendents, and foremen and fore- women. The fee is £4. for both courses, or £2. 58. for either. course. These fees are reduced for members of the Institute. A synopsis of the courses and fur- ther particulars may be obtained from the secretary of the Instit- ute.-
tee of the Council.
||
At. Haverfordwest, the question of a new reservoir and new water pipes to supply Broadhaven was referred to the water committee. Denbighshire County Council have decided to appoint an en- gineer to survey the water re- sources of the county, and to re- port on the praticability of a comprehensive scheme or supply for the county as the alternative to many small schemes. The council also decided to contribute about £5,000 per annum to- wards the annual charges ̈ of local authorities on water and sewerage schemes. At Welshpools, the Urban Council, who had, ap- pointed an engineer to report on the water supply from reservoirs on land owned by Lord Powis, were informed that his lordship considered the present supply ample and suggested that the reservoirs should be reduced in .size to keep them outside the Safety Provisions Water Works Act. The Council "replied and pointed out that the reserve fell very low last year and that new". hauses were being erected.
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2ND FLOOK
HAQHANGE BUILDING
British Trade With Holland
The admirable series of reports published by the Department of Overseas Trade on commercial and financial conditions in other countries is suficiently well- known to need no general - Intro - 'duction" As reports they are valuable for the great amount of authoritative information they contain in a small compass, but.. because they are reports, neccs- sarily based mainly upon the oficial returns available to the compilers and subject to the time-lag inherent in all statistics, their utility must always be dependent upon the amount of Arst-hand knowledge and expert- ence that the reader brings to their perusal.
To the established "trader, this is no drawback, but the furthering of his interests forms only a part of the underlying purpose, which is to develop new trade as well as to maintain that already existing The newcomer, and especially the small manufacturer whose business is just at that critical point, to borrow & meta- phor from hydraulics, where the sinuous flow of a purely home trade accelerates to the turba- lence of export. may be led to wander sometimes how close is
the relation between a diplomatic officer's précis and the day-to-day commercial conditions to which the actual exporter must attune himself.
Two Reviews
In the case of Holland a 'To!- nate coincidence offers at least a partial answer to this question: by the publication, almost toget- her, of the latest "Report en Ekonomic Conditions in the Netherlands.", and of a small book in which Mr John de La Vallette sets forth the personal views on British Trade with Holland that - a quarter of a century's partici- pation in it has qualified him to formulate. The two reviews are not strictly comparable, because the official survey is restricted to the Netherlands and Mr. de I-a Vallette's essay, as the sub-title indicates, devotes special atten- tion to the potentialities of the Dutch East Indian market; but thefr community of purpose ts absolute, and the references to engineering trade in particular are sufficiently numerous and direct to invite some considera- tion of the comments made under this head.
The post-war peak. year for Dutch trade was 1920, but the world depression has since caused a reduction of more than 59 per cent.. to a total for 1933 of 1.935 millions of flozing. The fall in Imports is less than that in exports. however, whether the comparison is made in weight or value, and in Mr. Laming's report, it is suggested, as a deduction, that the present volume of im ports represents the minim needs of the country on the present, standard of living. At the same time, the report infers that a lowering of the standard is not unlikely as a result of the efforts to balance the nation's books by widespread salary cuts. restriction of expenditure, and revision of national and local taxation.
with
The general economic survey which the report · operis 15 certainly
somewhat sombre chronicle-falling in- come, unemployment, rising cost of living, reljef measures for ship- ping, agriculture, railways---and the writing of it seems to have depressed the compiler for the Introduction ends on a "note of
this comment, for a price dif- ference; of 8 per cent, which the analysis discloses, is hardly "in- altealma!"; but the facts remain that the British price rose from an average of F1, 144.80 per metřic ton in 1832 $o. Fl. 148.45 in 1933, while the German average "drop- ped from Fl. 141.10 to F1. 137.13
Mr. de La Valette likewise stres- ses the need for closer market study and greater readiness ta encourage trade by such means as quoting prices in Dutch cur- His figures are for 1932, #rency.
which sometimes affects direct comparison with, the D.O.T. ze Park as in his comments og pe tinplate trade; but in general his arguments strongly support the efficial
case. and considerably amplify its references to Japanese sempetition. In the Indies. Jap- anese dumping of such engineer- ing products as galvanised affects. enamel-vare, and bicycles has reached serious proportions, "
Political and commercial rea- sons alike point the advantage of a healthy reciprocal trade be- tween Britain and Helland, and he is on safe ground in urging 2 tllas. Elçitish exporters, shou] BOJ!- sider the whole Netherlands Em- pire, and not merely the small country, only one-fourth the size of England, which fronts them across the North Sea, nor allow the present depressed state-of trade with the Dutch East Indies to blind them to the future pos sibilities. Dutch industrialisation is still proceeding and require- ments for plant and transport material will certainly revive. The same argument should apply even more forcibly to the Indies, with their sixty-odd millions of poten- tial consumers and their natural resources still only partly, deve- toped.
The Netherlands Government tras affirmed through Dr. Collin, who is Colonial Minister as well as Prime Minister, the belief that reciprocal trade bargains afford the only way out of present dif- to e This amounts Aculties. general invitation to other coun- tries to negotiate such agree- ments A summary of the laws and regulations bearing upon them is given by Mr. de La Val. lette, and those already made or in process, of negotiation are also to be found in the official report.
-“Engineering."
SPECIALISED TEACHING
For London Teachers
B
The handbook for the 1934-35 sesalon of the lecture courses and classes, organised by the London County Council for the beneft of teachers in London and the home Counties, has recently been 1sued The scheme, as hereto- fore, provides for courses in wide variety of subjects, includ- ing science, mathematics, geo- graphy, foreign languages, econd- mics, and various handicrafts, Most of the lectures are to be held on week-day evenings during the forthcoming winter and spring st Various centres in London, and the starting times range from 5.30 p.m.
LONDON COURSES IN ENGINEERING
despondency "regarding any hope ⠀ A small pamphlet entitled In-`
of early revival. Fortunately there are suggestions of a more cheerful outlook on ister pages.
The Tinplate Market The tinplate market, a note ates bluntir, is most unsatisfac- tory. Although a larger quantity. wes Imported, the UK share de creased, while the German nearly doubled "The price difference Was infinitesimal, but lack ÷ of pliancy on the part of the United Kingdom Industry has made com petitors success more ex France and Italy, it is remarked. are now entering the market, There is is tough.
struction in Engineering has re- cently been published by the Edu- "cation Officer's Department of the London County Connell This contains succinct pare ticulars of the polytechnies and technical Institutes, aid-
ed or maintained by the London County Council, at which instruc- tion in engineering given. In- formation regarding the day and evening classes available at each centre is given, as well as details. concerning fees, ages of intend Ing students, &e. Egment, for the forthcoming session, in the ease of evening classes, will be- 89% 911 timber 17
Although the engineering pro- duction methods of to-day involve the increasing use of labour-say- ing machinery, there will always be a need for reliable and efficient. bench tools. Soldering, for in- stance, is a process which can only be rendered mechanical to a limited extent, though it can be speeded up and improved by the employment of elects.cally-heated· irona. Messrs. W. T. Henley's Telegraph Works Company, Limited, Holborg Viaquet, Lon- don. E.C.1. have, therefore, de- signed a new heavy-weight iron for factory, workshop and garage use, which complies with the Home Offics.regulations, is-meck- anically and electrically robust, heats up quickly, maintains the correct temperature for continu- ous use, and is well balanced.
Three Ratinge
This iron, which is made in the three ratings 65, 125 and 240 watts, respectively, differs in some res- pects from the firm's well-known domestic model. The copper bit, which is tinned ready for 1198, and the end of the iron into which" it fta, are of oval section and there are no protruding. screws which might prevent its tise in a confined' space."" The element, which is of highgrade nickle-chrome wire wound on mica, is enclosed in a steel casing. which is clampëd between the limbs of the bit. This casing is Itself contained in a cadmium- plated cover. From this element nickel-chrome leads covered with bead Insulation run through the stem and hardwood handle, to a Bakelite box, where connection is made between them and flexible. leads insulated with tough "rub- ber.
A bonding strip, to which the centre core of the flexible lead is connected, is also provided In the connection box and earths all the metal parts of the iron. In order to prevent any, strain being put on the connection In- side the box, and to provide a bet- ter grip on the outer sheath of the flexible conductor, a moulded rubber sleeve is placed at the
2
entrance to the box. This sleeve also reinforces the leads at this point and thus does away with sharp bends and the risk of con- ductor breakage. The ends of. the lead ate trimmed up ready for connection plug.
to a three-pini
Correct Resistance
To ensure that the elements are of the correct resistance, they are individually tested on a spe- cial test-panel, which enables the proper voltage to be applied,' Re- Ject on takes place if the resis- tanice varies from normal by more than 5 per cent. After aÅgem-- bly each Iron is subjected to heat- ing and dielectric-resistance tests. while in addition a voltage 1.18 times the rated value is applied 1o one iron from each batch, be fore the dielectric test is madę, Five irons undergo the heating. test simultaneously, an alarmi clock being set to cut off the cur- rent at the required tish, Ang iron which then fails to melt B piece of spider is rejected, Dur- ing the dielectric tests, the ca365 of the irons are earthed and the leads are connected to a 0.75 kV transformer supplying current at 600 R.M.S. volts, and to a test lamp, which lights up "should a failure occur. Finally, duration test, during which a number of fons are connected continuously to the supply mains, is made on a representative selection from stock. The life under these con- ditions is sald to average from 6.000 hours to 8,000 hours.
The external dimensions of the Bit on the 125-watt fron are 1j'q. long by 1-in. major axis and § in.. minor axis, the overall length, ex- cluding the rubber sleeve, being 141 in. and the weight 1 lb. It has been successfully used for light tinsm'th's work and for soldering commutator leads of motors up to about 2.h.p. The bit of the 240-watt iron is 21 in. long by 14. major axis and 7 in. minor axis. The weight is 2 lb. and it can be used for heavy tin- smith's work and for all heavier soft soldering.—
METAL WINDOWS
MANUFACTUREB :
MADE IN HONGKONG
FROM
IMPORTED BRITISH MATERIAL
95%
BRITISH.
THE TAI YING STEEL WINDOW MFG. CO.
TRERTHONE: 97459
OFFICE 89/85, OHUN YONG. STREET. FACTORY-NORTH-POINT, HONG KONG,
SHIP & ENGINE BUILDERS. SHIP & ENGINE REPAIRERS. MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL
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(Licensed To
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--URI POCK-- Length 787 Feet.
THE TAIKOO
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Wireless Call -
SALVAGE TUG “TAIKOO"
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Length on Blocks 750 Fret Breadth at entrance
93 ft. 4-15s.. Depth on Centre of 511 H.W.0.8.2.).34 ft. 8 in.
THREE SLIPWAYS-
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to 4,000 Tons Displacement.
CRANES
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Lining reach 70 feet. 25 TON High tower gantry Travell
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TEL. ADDREM: "TAIKOODOOK," Hong Kono,
mrát Own”? Ovek * Prywant 'Ans”