The Birmingham Post from Birmingham, West Midlands, England • 8

il SIR WINSTON CHURCHILL'S THE BIRMINGHAM POST, FRIDAY, MAY 28, 1954 OF CONSERVATIVES NOT YET COMPLETED' was also an increasing injury to all those creative forces of self-reliance and moral strength for which Britain had been so long renowned. "Never was a British Government called on to face such a conglomeration of evils and errors with powers so impaired and a majority so small." Advance to Solvency Ref erring to a wonderful change which had taken place under this Government. Sir Winston said that he had made an alliterative bankrupcy banished by Butler. To-day gold and dollar reserves stood once more at more than million dollars. Sterling once again had become a cur Toney which the world could trust.

Prom the shadow of bankruptcy we have advanced to solvency. At home during the past two years the cost of living has been very much steadier, and we had always had the hope that we should not find it beyond our power to tur slope downwards. Production has achieved new high records and the highest level of employment has been maintained. We salute Mr. Butler.

who has so faithfully and patiently followed the pruden though often unpopular courses which alone made this recovery possible." Praising Maj. Lloyd-George, Sir Winston said that from July 4 Britain would be finished with ration books. That was not the reason why the Americans gave July 4 the name of Independence Day." but it seemed to fit in with Britain's mood of thought. Socialists Loved a Queue' The Socialists loved a queue." Miming a little man looking out of a pigeon-hole and handing out something from the window, Sir Winston remarked: "That is the picture of the Socialist world. The idea of what they consider paradise." Speaking of housing, Sir Winston said he would let them int oche secret of how Mr.

Macmillan had got the he let the builders get on with the job. Now we are goingt tackle a no less urgent problem in the sphere of housing. We are going to demolish the slums and we are going to stop houses which are still sound. though old from degenerating into slums. One would have thought that the Socialists would havg been able to rise above the envy they must feel at our success even in a field where their failure was so lamentable.

I should have thought that here at least was an enterprise in which they could co-operate to help improve the living conditions of so many people. Instead, they are making this the subject of a fresh campaign of misrepresentation against us. But time will vindicate our wor kand reputation." Improved Social Services Another Socialist cry was that the Government was wielding a Conservative axe to cut the social services. But the Government had 1 improved all the social services and was spending more this year on them than any Government at any time. That applied to the whole field of social services.

How has it all been done? Just by hard. patient, steadfast work. Ivlthout undue courting of popularity. And this only in little more than two and a half years. When we came in I pleaded that we should not be judged until we had three years' work to show.

I feel most strongly that the Conservatives and the National Liberal Party have not completed their task. I do not agree with the excitable newspapers who clamour for a premature election. The country ought to be governed by Parliament and not be always seeking convulsion and change at elections, or always looking for some quick political I am convinced that a long-term view should be taken of these nroblems. I am not asking for your agreement, because that is the reason why we all have a free vote, but I do ask for your patient consideration of the facts which I venture to give you and the course which I have not hesitated to advise. Old-age Pensions There is also the question of the old-age pensioners.

I have a right to speak to you of this, for as Conservative Chancellor of the Exchequer it was I who reduced the pensionable age from 70 to 65. I can assure you that it is our deep desire that this infinitely vaster problem shall likewise be solved in the present Parliament in a manner worthy of British humanity, if we can solve it. It will be another example of wise and efficient service to the country by the Conservative Party in the true spirit of Tory democracy." Mr. Morrison might well be right in saving that Mr. Bevan had lost the Socialists 20 to 30 seats when he denounced nearly half his fellow countrymen as lower than vermin," Sir Winston said.

But whatever advantage the Conservatives gained from that insulting abuse was more than made up for by the campaign with which Mr. Morrison was not unconnected, of calling him (Sir Winston) a warmonger." Trials Ahead' "It is better for a politician, let alone a.statesman or stateswoman. if there are any to be found. to have his eyes on the stars rather than his ears on the ground. Very hard are the trials which lie before our crowded island, with its 50 millions in the midst of this vast modern world.

Only the exercise of its finest qualities, only the frame of its ancient institutions. only the' native genius of its people and their unfailing instinct will enable us to retrieve the great position which we had in the days of Queen Victoria and to command the comradeship. love and admiration of the Commonwealth and Empire." M.P.s' Salaries On the free vote to increase M.P.s' salaries, Sir Winston said: "I am sure it is a very bad thing to have the tremendous affairs and responsibilities of the British State discharged by men. a large number 6f whom are themselves seriously embarrassed. "It is remarkable that the six Conservatives and six Socialists on the committee studied this question impartially and came to the same conclusion, that there was real and widespread hardship.

I do not think myself we ought to regard this matter as one of comparison for individuals. That may be a worthy and important factor. but I am not thinking of individuals. I am thinking of the institution. When I think that our ancient and famous Parliament, which has so proudly confronted our foes for centuries, is now the most harassed and poorly-sustained assembly of kind among all the parliaments a he civihsed world.

of which it has been th ecradle and is still the model, 'Seeker After Peace' There. indede. a serious injury and wrong was done to our party. and I have a feeling that the day will come when every vote that was gained by the warmongering' lark wil lbe regained. and then it will be fouhd that the Conservative Government has been a principal factor in maintaining the peace of the world." The Government had gained a world reputation for being the faithful and skilful friends of peace.

And even I. who so often get scolded and abused, now bear a reputation as a seeker after peace which even in Russia would hardly be impugned. If we pursue this the course of peace through strength with steadfastness and courage. we should come safely through this anxious and also. I must say.

dangerous period. We may live to you maythe awful science has wrung Trom Nature serve mankind instead of destroying it and put an end to the wars they were called forth to wage." Replying, to a vote of thanks. Sir Winston said he, was glad to say that Lady Churchill was making good in her rest cure. Demand for Heavy Steel hnproves By our Trade Correspondent Demand from home and abroad for heavy steel sections continues to improve. Delivery dates for heavy joists and sections are becoming more protracted.

The market for plates is maintained and makers have sufficient work to cover them for the remainder of the year. Producers of light sections can take additional business for Periods 3 and 4, and current business is just steady. Interest in small Steel bars continues to be meagre and this applies to very light sections. Exceptionally, material for reinforced concrete work Is wanted. Buyin has become stimulated recently, particularly for rounds up to 's in.

in diameter. In this category some export business is passing and Continental works report better demand for this steel. Activity in sheets, black and galvanised, and for strip is maintained, and makers have satisfactory orders: for both home and abroad. Re-rollers remain quiet. With ample supplies of billets available, more business would be welcomed.

Revision of pig-iron prices is expected within a few days as a result of the higher cost of coke which has operated from May 3. In the meantime, foundries are busy in the speciality, motor and heavy engineering trades. Light foundries could do with more work as there has been a falling away in new business, except for builders' castings, for which the trade remains steady. R. B.

Staunton Harold Church It is stated by The National Lila that until further notice, and while repairs to the fabric continue, Staunton Harold Church, Ashby-dela-Zouch, cannot be opened to the general public, It is hoped that arrangements for showing It will be announced early in 1955. The church will not. therefore, be open to the public for Divine service on Sundays for the present. Reorganisation of Football Urged Mr. Harry Parkes's Suggestions Decree Nisi for an Olympic Swimmer The present football organisation should be scrapped and there should be a complete reorganiastion with special emphasis on coaching.

Mr. Harry Parkes, the Aston Villa footballer. told his fellow members at the weekly luncheon of Rotary Club yesterday. English football at the moment was at a very low ebb, he said. The Hungarian success had shaken everybody.

The selection of 'the international team, he thought, should be done by a panel of, say, three managers who had the practical knowledge. In training more attention should be paid to ball work and less to lapping and sprinting. The Hungarians were ball players first and foremost. They spent hours and hours learning to master the ball. Mr.

Parkes suggested that to save English football a start should be made in the schools. "We need coaches or instructors in schools to give the boys at least two lessons a week, he said. "Another difficulty is that when a boy leaves school at 15 there are few teams prepared to take him and help him at that age." Mrs. Edna Lilian Tym (Mks. Edna Child, the New Zealand Olympic swinuneri, of Lodge Avenue, Gidea Park.

Essex, was granted a decree nisi in the Divorce Court yesterday on the ground of desertion by her husband. Mr. Norman Andrew Tym. They were married in April, 1949. at Romford Parish Church.

Judge Alun Pugh said that Mrs. Tym was a public figure with a career, and in the circumstances her husband had behaved most unreasonably. The suit was undefended. Venezuela Buys Three Vickers Viscount Planes The Government-owned Linea Areopostal Venezolana yesterday signed a contract in Caracas. Venezuela.

worth £1,428.570 for the purchase of three British Vickers Viscount aircraft. The 42-passenger planes will be delivered in the second half of 1955. They will be operated in the Venezuelan domestic air Lawn Tennis Surprise at Surbi ton Miss Shilcock Beats Miss Mortimer Miss Ann Shilcock. of Sussex. who is on the fringe of selection for the Wightman Cup team, achieved the most surprising result of the lawn tennis season when she beat Britain's leading player.

Miss Angela Mortimer. 6-3. 6-1 in the Surrey championships at Surbiton yesterday. Miss Mortimer. who has already missed half the season with sinus trouble.

had to go to hospital for treatment for an eye infection yesterday. and her match with Miss Shilcock was put off an hour to give her a chance to recover. The delay served only to make Miss Shilcock more determined, and even if Miss Mortimer had been fully flt it is doubtful whether she would have beaten the Sussex girl. Miss Shilcock hit the ball like an American and without any of the inconsistency which Is so often feature of her game. She had only one poor patch.

For the rest she was brilliant and revealed a fine variety of strokes Abe Segal. ranked second to E. W. Sturgess In South Africa. beat 0.

L. Paint'. the last Englishman. 6-2. 6-3 to the men's singles.

Paish. second seed, was behind all the way and at no time did he raise his game to Davis Cup standard. Segal, a broad-shouldered left-hander achieved domination at the net and completed Palah's discomfiture by serving balls which swung and broke and which Polska could never return to length. OLWOBULUUNGI BWABANTU FOR OYU FOUR YEARS Mukasa has watched the great dam being built at Owen Falls, to make more electricity for Uganda. Mukasa has seen much good come from electric power.

In this new hydro-electric scheme he sees a brighter future for his people. "Electricity," says Mukasa, "is oltrobulusdigi for the benefit of Man." Her Majesty the Queen, homeward bound on her world tour, recently opened the Owen Falls dam. The six waterwheel alternators, which make the electricity, are being supplied of the nine famous British companies that together make up A.E.I. A.F.I. (Associated Electrical Industries) make everything electrical from a turbine to a torch bulb.

The British Associated Electrical Industries are a family of companies Co. Ltd. Electrical Co. Ltd. The Edison Swan Electric Co.

Ltd. Ferguson Pain Ltd. The Hotpoint Electric Appliance Co. Ltd. International Refrigerator Co.

Ltd. Newton Victor Ltd. Premier Electric Heaters Ltd. Sunvic Controls Ltd. First Seed Fails The first seed, Hugh Stewart.

was beaten 2-6, 8-2, 6-4 by the New Zealand champion, John Barry. Another eliminated was the only other surviving American M. Fox, who put up a great losing fight before J. Ark'ratan (Australia) beat him 6-1, 16-18, 6-4. Arklnstall.

never ruffled, cracked only once In a match which lasted three hours In the teat of the day. In the 34th game of the second set he lost his touch and the American broke through for the set. Fox continued to fight but finally went down to Arktnatall's magnificent Trabert to Meet Larsen French Singles Final T. Trabert, the U.S.A. champion, and Art Larsen, the American lefthander will contest the men's singles final of the French championships in Paris on Sunday.

In yesterday's semifinals, played in broiling heat. Trabert beat Budge Patty, recent winner of the Italian title. 8-1. 7-5, 6-4 and Larsen out-generalled E. Mores (Argentina) to win by 6-4, 6-3, 6-4.

Larsen's clever court tactics should make him hard to beat in the Anal. As against Seises. he slowed down the game yesterday and had the normally aggressive Mores confused by clever lobs and slow, accurate placements. The holder of the women's singles, Miss Maureen Connelly (U.S.A.) beat Slgnorina S. Lazzarino (Italy) 8-0, 6-1 in the semi-finals in 26 ininutes.

The Italian girl was outclassed. She won her only game after losing the first 11 when she held her service in the sixth game of the second eet. In the final Miss Connolly will meet Mlle. 0. Bucaille (France), who yesterday beat Mine.

N. Adamson (France) 6-2, 6-4. In the quarter-finals of the mixed doubles M. Rose (Australia) and Mlle. J.

(France) beat J. Ducos and Mane. Gaiter (France) 6.4. 14-3, and L. Road (Australia) and Miss Connolly beat N.

Fraser and Mrs. N. Hopman (Australia) 6-3, 6-4. Britain's last representative in the championships. Miss Pat Ward, was eliminated from the mixed doubles when ehe and her partner, Mores.

were beaten 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 by Rex Hartwig (Australia) and Mile J. Patorni (France). The Staffordshire Closed Events K. G. Jones.

top seed In the Southern section of the Staffordshire closed championships, won his way through to the final stages of the men's singles to be played at Stafford this week-end, when he beat B. Mayor 7-5. 6-2 at Newbridge. Wolverhampton, last night. Mayor, a stylish player, fought hard In the first set but failed to extend his rival afterwards.

In the women's. singles Mrs. T. Hillman and Mrs. I.

Oreatrex also Qualified for Stafford. Mrs. Hillman beat Miss J. Baines 8-3, 6-2: but Mrs. Oreatrex received a shock when Mrs.

M. Stokes won the first set 6-3 before her greater experience enabld hr to take the next two 8-2. 6-0. Other results RAW, round W. Wickham and D.

Brown but Mason and D. Preston 6-2. 6.3; G. Powell and C. Cartwright beat P.

Smith and P. Weston 7-4. 6-4; R. Littleford and G. Baker Amin A.

Pinson and P. Woodhead 6-3. 64. Second H. Alliopp and 3.

Corbett but D. Ward and Well, 6-1. 6-4; Littleford and Baler beat Powell and Cartwright 6-2. 6-1. Wesmes Doubles.

Semi-Muir Mrs. 1. Grestrest and Mrs. Y. Hillman beat Min J.

Fortner and Miss J. 6.0,_ 6.0; M. J. Reines and Mtn S. Bird beat Mrs M.

Stokes and Mrs. E. Hind 6-2, 64. Rastrietad Maw's round: G. Powell and C.

Cnrtyrrialit beat A. Wynn-Evans and N. Seabriaht 6.1, Smith and P. Weston beat Silvers and Roters 10-6. 7-5: R.

Altar sad A. Brown beat D. Mason and D. Preston 6-3, 6-2. A.

Y. Shartikan and I. Dunnins but 3 M. Cook and I. Kidson 6-0.

6-0; Littleford and Baker beat W. Wickham and D. Brown 6-1. 6-3. Fine Entry for the Northern Events Miss Connolly to Play The Wimbledon aomen's singles final may be played a month in advance "in rehearsal et the Northern lawn tennis tournament at Manchester next week.

Every player with a chance of reaching the Wimbledon final will play in the women's singles. Miss M. Connolly, holder of the Wimbledon, American, French and Australian titles is a late entry and she joins the rest of the American Wlghtman Cup team, Miss D. Hart, Miss Brough, Mies M. Dupont and Mies S.

Fry. Mos Including British women players Miss A. Mortimer, Mrs. Mottram, Mies A. Shilcock and Miss M.

P. Harrison will compete. K. Rosewall, the Australian, and his Devi Cup teem-mate, R. Hartwig, head the entry for the men's singles, in which other competitors will include R.

Falkenburz the former Wimbledon champion, E. Mores lArgentinal, A. J. Mottram and the Americana H. Stewart sad G.

Shea. Police Kill Terrorists Police killed Lau Lee, a 28-year-old Chinese believd to be a senior Communist leader, after crawling through a 300-yard-long tunnel to raid a terorist hideout near Penang. Malaya, it was stated yesterday. They also killed a woman terrorist and wounded a man who later escaped. World Wool Consumption The world consumed more 1953 than in any other year recorded, except 1950, when the effects of the Korean war were particularly felt, according to a review published to-day by the Commonwealth Economic Committee.

The Commonwealth's share of the world total In 1953 was about 600,000,0001 or 23 per cent, which represented a substantial improvement of 22 per cent over that of 1962. COMMERCIAL NEWS Market Reports pricer Turbot 120. to brill 16s. to las North Sea cod Ss. to 7s.

medium haddocks large plalse 91.. largo 'anomalies 265. dabs 40., skate whitings 90. to 10s. 3d.

Faroe large halibut 30... catfish As. 3d reds 41. 90., all per stone. are 0111 taking hest of remaining wheats at controlled price.

Odd lots of feed Oats changed hands et ruling prices. No stem of any new A.Y. and fair eupolles of old on offer round 11l per ton met with little enquiry. hustneiss is rather quiet. values remain very firm in the merino section of the tons market on the 15.111 of 1554.

for warp. Most of new business on offer a for fine crosstrrech. and this, together with reports of dearer wool in New Zealand. has caused an advance in quotations for tops. Fiftyeights super quality a now at 123 d.

Medium crowineds are, firm with a hardening tendency on the Nuns 90d for fifties carded Commitments are eeneralls well ins ered ret.onahle distance Mimes, There is a moderate amount of new Mimes, in wearing vivre and Priem la move against the buyer. New York Metals Copper. donwitic delivered su rains points avild.Were 30.12 electrolytic spot delivered Connecticut Milky 30. ekcerolytic world export (New York wiliiirelentl 30.00 c. to 3023 nominal, castinc f.o.b.

New i East St. Louis 10.30. London Metals delivery 57a I Id. in boxes. Lae makers' works for unamorted.

Mann 65 to 725. bd. Cada 77 per ton (less in his (fres) f.o.b. aluminium of 99 pelts in ingot form £156 per long ton. delivered into consumers' works in the United Kingdom sticks and rods 99.90%.

home delivery 120. Per delivered buyers' works. delivery 1483 per ton. 122 and crude £2OO all per ton. Anthems; nominally quoted 216.

to 235. per unit CAI 130 to 131 per trey ounce. Ouleks exmarehouse London quoted 190 per fissk of 761 b. Tenptsse selling prices to United Kingdom consumers 1956 per lons ton unit isoUraraltet and Mg. per unit for ordinary (bobtails) These prices include the Ministry's 105.

deliverychaste Bir mingha letigt-konm LIS 171 De -No. rbysperhire ton. foundry. delivered session: Cash 1722 buyers, ins. sellers.

done st 1722 to £721. Three months 719 buyers. 1720 sellers. Business done at 1721 to 1720. Stillman 1722 lOs Turnover 90 tons (of which 35 tons were for cash).

Market barely steady. Afternoon session: Cash 1721 10g. buyers, £722 10s. sellers. Business done at 1721 Ifs.

Three months £719 buyers. £720 sellers. Boainess done at £720 to 1719. Turnover 90 tons sof which five tons were for cash). Market steady.

session: May 195 buyers. 193 ss. sellers. Second half August 194 Ss. buyers.

94 10s. sellers. Sales 350 tons (prompt nil). Market barely steady. Afternoon Masten: May £93 St.

buyers. 95 10s. rollers. Second half August 10s. buyers, £94 15s.

sellers. Sales 125 tons (prompt MI). Market steady but quiet. session: May £79 12s. 6d.

buyers, £79 155. sellers. August 179 17s. 6d. buyers, £4O sellers.

Saks 250 tons (prompt 11). Market quiet end easier. Afternoon Winton! May 179 ISs. buyers, 180 sellers. August LBO buyers, 160 Sr.

sellers. Sales 600 tons (prompt nil). Market 'smeller. session: Cash 1240 15s. sellers.

Business done at £244 to £241. Three months 1237 15s. buyers, 1238 sellers. Business done at 1238. Settlement £241 ss.

Turnover 525 tons (of which 425 tons were for cash). Market steady. Afternoon session: Cash 1241 buyers. £241 Ss. sellers Business done at 1244 to 1241.

Three months 1237 15s. buyers. 122311 tellers. Turnover 425 tone (225 tens for cash), the remaining tonnage twins 75 tons for early June at 240 155.. 75 tons for early Jam at 1240 17s.

and SO tons for late June at 1240 105. Market steady. Else IS gauge and thkker unchanged et £llO per ton fpr nye tons or more delivered England andfor Scotland and £ll2 175. 6d. per ton delivered Northern Ireland.

The Property Market Dee Valley Residence Offered for £6,000 By direction of K. J. Price. Jackson-Stops and Staff are offering for sale, at a price of £6,000. Brynbanon, near Bala, Merionethshire, a country house in the Dee Valley, with salmon fishing available on the River Tryweryn and rough shooting.

Holdgate Hall, Corvedale, with about 445 acres of land and a stock farm of 216 acres, will be offered for sale by auction at Ludlow on June 21 by Chesshire, Gibson and Co. By order of the executors of the late Earl of Powis, 3.000 acres of sheep walk, a flock of 2.500 sheep and a grouse moor are being offered for sale by private treaty by Norman B. Lloyd and Co. By Chappell and Foster, acting in conjunction with G. Herbert Banks: Causeway Meadows Farm.

Stoke Works, near Bromsgrove, with farmhouse, buildings and about 91 8 4 acres of land, sold for £7,900, to Mr. S. Lacey, son of the late owner. By Cartwright and Son, Nuneaton; Rose Marie, 87, Dark Lane. Bedworth, near Nuneaton (freehold, possession).

£2.500 By Mr. G. Herbert Banks, Kidderminster: Country residence The First Romeley, near Shatterfor Bewdley, 9,550: Waterlaide Cottage. Hartle' bury, near Kidderminster. £6lO.

World Peace Prize for Charlie Chaplin East Berlin radio reported that the World Peace Council had awarded the World Peace Prize to Charlie Chaplin and Mr. Mitri Shostakovich, the Soviet composer, Mr. Chaplin had i nformed the presidium of the Council that he accepted the prize end would use the mosey "for works of peace and friendship in the cities of London, Vienna and Geneva," theradio said. Latest Wills Mrs. Emily Frances Kemball, of 3, Clarence House.

Granville Road. Eastbourse, member of a wellknown Lichfield family. daughter of the late John Owen. who. with his wife, were for many years prop fi rietors of the oe Hotel, eld.

left £51 447 (£50984 net). Lich- Other wills Lees. Mr. Albert. of 47, Stowe Street, Lichfield, grocer.

left £4.121 (E 4.0831 net). Allwood. Mlea Jessie, of Claremont, Heathwood Road, Higher Heath. Whltchurch, Salop, left 12.991 (E 12,958 net). Kyna4ton, Mies Alice, of 80, Boileau Road, Ealing, London, WS, late of Wem, Salop left 14.848 (E 14,773 net).

Long. Mr. George, of Newholme, Okua Road, Charlton Kings, Cheltenham, left £7,713 (£5,861 nett. Jennings, Mr. William Harold Victor, of 52, The Oval, Gloucester.

left £2,749 net). Wells, Miss Thalia, of Blenheim Lodge, Manor Road, High Barnet, formerly of 16, Church Road, Tupsley, Herefordshire, daughter of the late John Wells, of Hampnett, Gloucestershire, left £14.389 (£14,248 net). She left £2OO each to the British and Foreign Bible Society, Church Missionary Society for Africa and the East, and the London Society for Promoteing Christianity amongst the Jews. Rlchgrdson, Mrs. Avefll Mary.

of 9. Regent Place. Rugby. left £8,198 (£3.128 net). Askew, Mr.

Alfred Charles, of The Almshouses, The Oren, Mancetter, Warwickshire. In business at the Cosy CsOe, Long Street. Atherstone, and former car hire proprietor, left £2,905 (£2,665 net). Hewlett, Mr. Enoch.

of 32. Bannerman Road. Leicester. retired company director, left £5,449 (£5.402 net). Smith.

Mrs. Thirza Peters, of 261, Anstey Lane, Leicester, left £.39.761 (C 39,512 net). She left £3lO to Moodields Eye Hospital. London. Strange.

Mr. Lawrence Harold. of 87, Lyndon Road, Olton. Warwickshire, left £3,476 I £3,065 net). Hall, Mr.

Alfred of M. Evesham Road, Stratford-on- A von left £2.580 £2,530 net). A Mystery of the Sea The mystery of the disappearance of the 283-ton Glasgow coaster Yewvalley. lost with all hands in the great storm of January3l, 1953. remains unsolved.

A Ministry of Transport inquiry in Glasgow yesterday found that there was no evidence to enable them to establish the precise cause of her loss. The absence of any distress signals suggested that disaster overtook her suddenly and the absence of wreckage suggested that sh went down as a whole and did n9t disintigrate. ALBRIGHT WILSON LIMITED (MANUF, The sixty-second annual general meeting of Albright Wilson. was held yesterday et the registered office of the company, Oldbury, Birmingham, Mr. Kenneth H.

Wilson. 0.8. E. J.P., chairman of the company. presiding.

The Secretary (Mr. J. C. Wilson, M.A.i read the notice convening the meeting and the report of the auditors. The following is the Chairman's statement which was circulated with the report and accounts for the year ended 31st December, 1953.

The Consolidated Profit and Loss Account which is before you summarises the results of our operations in Great Britain. the U.S.A.. Canada. and Australia during 1953. In each of these countries we have experienced stable conditions and in each our volume of trade has Increased.

The net profit of the group of companies (attributable to the stockholders of Albright and Wilson Ltd.) after all charges. including taxation, amounted to £799,171. This figure compares with £594,296 for the previous year. The increase in net profit is satisfactory. especially as it is a consequence of a proportionate increase in total turnover.

The Group percentage of taxation has remained almost unchanged at 58 per cent, the reduction in the U.K. standard rate of income-tax having been completely offset by Increases in North America. New plant which has become productive during the year accounts for an increase of almost £143,000 In depreciation charges. Both here and in North America the company has employed more mediumterm loan finance and it will be observed that interest charges have increased during the year by £105.000. The Directors have declared a second Interim dividend of 111 1 per cent, less tax, and recommend that this be approved as the final dividend.

making 17 1 per cent for the year. The net ordinary dividend (£195.223) absorbs leas than one third of the earnings after providing for the preference dividend. so that the relation between dividend and net earnings remains almost unchanged from the previous year. Expansion Programme The abnormally heavy expansion programme undertaken during the last few years is now nearing completion. During the last three years our group of companies has spent almost 611.000.000 on the extension of its manufacturing facilities.

Following this statement you will find some account of our operations at Portishesd and Kirkby. Both these plants are now active. though not yet at full production. Our new Canadian plant on the St. Lawrence began to deliver phosphorus in November.

The first plant to be completed on the new site at Columbus Mississippi 1U.5.A.1, will make sodium chlorate and will be in operation within a few OF INDUSTRIAL CHEMICALS) months. Tleg industrial development of the Southern States has accelerated and we are preparing to make other products at Columbus in due course. It is well known that the original purpose of our Company was to supply phosphorus and phosphorus derivatives for the production of matches. We In fact played an honourable part in the development of that industry during the last century, and even as late as 1914 three-quarters of our output was for its service. In 1953 the match industry still used approximately the same tonnage of our products, but this represented only one per cent of our total turnover.

The bulk of our output is now composed of phosphates, which are incorporated in foodstuffs or detergents, or are put to a multitude of industrial uses. Although, as I have stated, we have almost completed the development programme which was announced several years ago and which was timed by the new requirements of the detergent industry, we anticipate that the company will for at least several years to come be adding steadily and substantially to its fixed assets. The change in the size and scope of the business to which I have alluded has not halted, and indeed it is the purpose of our research and development efforts to accelerate such changes in the several countries in which the Group has interests. I have to announce with very real regret the resignation of Mr. J.

G. Clarke from the Board of Directors. Mr. Clarke joined the company in He has served us successively, and most successfully, es a research chemist, works manager, general works manager, and in recent years as a Directer. In each of these he has left his stamp on our tfon.

His energy and ability have been outstanding and my Board has lost, through continued ill-health, one of its Most valued members. Mr. W. E. K.

Piercy, who joined our staff in 1935, was appointed to the Board as Director of Development in July, 1953, and the shareholders will be asked to confirm this appointment at the Annual General Meeting. Mr. R. B. Walker, who joined the staff of the Electric Reduction Company of Canada in 1925, became its President in 1941 and guided our Canadian affairs throughout the difficult war years, resigned in the course of 1963.

He has been succeeded by Dr. D. E. Jones. formerly in charge of our factory at Widnes.

I would like to thank the management and staff of all the constituent companies of the Group for having shouldered so willingly their increased responsibilities, and to welcome the many new members of staff who have joined the organisation. The report and accounts were adopted. The appointment of Mr. W. E.

K. Piercy was confirmed and the retiring Directors. Mr, R. E. Threlfall.

and Mr. J. C. Wilson, M.A., were re-elected. Write for publication 2006.

Woods fan engineer in your area will be happy to call. Rye 0 I for Fans WOODS OF COLCHESTER Bra'wick Works, Colarder AN associate company of The Genera! Electric Co. Ltd. AEI for everything electrical Ist. EDITION H.

P. SAUCE LIMITED The twenty-ninth annual general meeting of H.P. Sauce. was held at the Queen's Hotel. Birmingham.

yesterday. Sir Patrick Hannon, the chairman. presided. The Chairman said: In opening the Proceedings of the 29th Annual General Meeting of the H.P. Sauce Group of Companies.

may I offer a warm welcome to all Stockholders here. At the outset I should like to refer to the election of the two new members to our Board to-day. Mr. John T. Lews, 0.13.

J.P.. F.C.A., and Mr. H. G. Wright, B.A.

Aa you have been informed in the Directors' Report. have signified to the Board my intention of resigning as a Director and Chairman of the Company and I should like to refer to this later on. In the meantime, I shall have the pleasure at a Bard Meeting later today of proposing the appointment of Mr. Lewis as Chairman of the Parent Board and of all the subsidiaries with the exception of Lea Perrins, Limited. The Board of the Parent Company have with the agreement of the new Chairman elected Colonel C.

F. D. Perrin as Chairman of Lea Perrino Limited, thus re-establishing the family name in association with that well-known undertaking. Mr. Lewis is a partner In the well-known firm of Chartered Accountants, Agar, Bates.

Neal and having regard to his high business and professional qualifications, I am convinced that Stockholders will share my unbounded confidence in this proposal. Mr. Wright has served the Company for the past 34 years in a technical and administrative capacity and the Directors have the highest regard for his ability, and welcome him as one who will contribute in valuable measure to the management of the Parent Company and of the Group. It is with the greatest confidence that Stockholders will be invited to confirm the appointments of Mr. Lewis and' Mr.

Wright, and to re-elect them in accordance with the Articles of AseOciation. The year 1953 must be regarded as the most difficult trading year since the war. It was marked by keen competitive conditions, particularly in the home market, and although a further welcome measure of relief from control and rationing was experienced with resulting lower costa in some directions, other costa, notably transport, increased. In the aggregate, the percentage of profit margin on most of the products sold by the Company and its subsidiaries showed no increase, notwithstanding many measures which hove resulted in economy and efficiency. In all the circumstances, the trading results of the Parent Company, and, with one exception, of the subsidiary Companies, are regarded by the Board as highly satisfactory, although the Trading Profit of the Group shows a decrease from £998,430 in 1952 to £895,565.

The exception to which I have referred is Norfolk Canneries Limited, which Company, in common with other companies engaged in the canning industry, suffered by the import of very large quantities of conned products from Commonwealth Countries, and by the poor growing conditions experienced last summer. Your Directors have, however, the greatest confidence in like vigorous and able local management of this Company, and, with every hope that these conditions will prove to be exceptional and will not be repeated this year, they feel convinced that a satisfactory improvement upon the trading result of 1953 will be achieved. charge for taxation is lower by £107802 so that the Net Profit of the Group is £4,937 higher than the previous year. Notwithstanding taxation reliefs of recent years it will be observed that total taxation represents over of profits. After crediting over-provisions for taxation in 1952 (mainly due' to the reduction in the Standard Rate of Income Tax) and providing for the profit of subsidiaries attributable to outside interests and the proportion of profits retained in subsidiary companies.

the Net Profit is £299,605. an increase of £62,626 compared with last year. After payment of Preference Dividends and Interim Dividend on 'Ordinary Stock, we have an available balance of t. 452,519 compared with £342,063 at the end of 1952. Your Directors, having given careful consideration to their recommendation to Stockholders, propose a Final Dividend of Is.

per ss. Stock Unit, leas tax, making the total dividend equal to that of last year. An examination of the Balance Sheet of the Parent Company and of the Consolidated Balance Sheet of the Group will, I think, demonstrate the wisdom of this decision, for it will be seen that the increased net profit is nOt represented by additional cash resources and that the Capital and Reserves of the Company are fully employed in the constant endeavour to maintain and increase the highest economic Ae in the peat, the Company and its subsidiaries have made the maintenance of the highest quality their main concern, and I am glad to say that this policy has resulted, as it was meant to do, in a commercial prestige and a consumer acceptance of all the products of the Group at a very high level. Before referring to the main features of interest in the subsidiary coinpanies, I should like to emphasise the happy relations which exist among the executives, staffs and workpeople of the parent company and of all units in the Grou I am quite sure that all Stockhold p. ers will Isiah to associate themselves with the Boars in an expression of sincere thanks to the members of our staffs and sales representatives for their conscientious, loyal and valuable services.

I pay them the tribute of saying that never in the history of the company has their efficiency stood at a higher level to-day. The overseas demand for the companies' products, both for H. P. Sauce and Lea Perrins, continues to increase, in spite of import restrictions in many countries; and this affords us particular satisfaction to-day, when the country's need of export trade is still so vital to the national interest. Lea Sr Perrins Limited continues to advance in turnover and it provides the premier Worcester Sauce in every country in the free world.

Lea Perrin New York has maintained its previous vitality and has shown increased profits. The weight of taxation in America is still heavy, but reductions in the current year. notably the abolition of Excess Profits Tax, will bring welcome relief. The growth of our business ifs Canada has steadily advanced, both for H. P.

Sauce and Lea Perrins Sauce, under the energetic management of E. D. Smith Sons Ltd. Fietchers Sauce Company Limited maintains the ong established popularity in north of England, and Macks (Walsall) Limited shows steady improvement. Both these companies benefit from diligent and active local management, The Albion Bottle Company occupies a high place in our Group, being very well managed and providing an excellent return of profit.

In 1953, during which we acquired the minority share interest, a most satisfactory turnover was achieved. The Australian Company has recently given indication of advancing prosperity, although on a modest scale. The competition in sauces and allied trades in Australia is intensely acute but nevertheless, recent reports indicate a more favourable outlook. My long association with H. P.

Sauce Limited, since its formation, has been a pleasant record of cheerful, kindly and generous understanding with everybody concerned with the fortunes of the Company; but above all, my constant contact with the growth of a business to which there was an expanding potential is full of stimulating recollections. The whole framework of H. P. Sauce Limited and its auxiliaries has been enveloped In an atmosphere of friendship and goodwill. I cannot recall any disturbing incident at any period during the term of my directorship.

I would like to pay tribute to the late Mr. E. S. Moore and his eon who laid such a sure foundation prior to 1924, and I hope I may be forgiven if I remind Stockholders of two outstanding personalities in the direction of our affairs; our first Chairman, the late Mr. Ludford Docker, whose son Is happily with us on our Board.

and the late Sir Herbert Smith. who followed as Chairman. Then In the process of time it fell to my lot to take up the high standard of integrity established by my predecessors. In closing my association with a great enterprise occupying a conspicuous place in our national economy, I must express my deep gratitude for the courtesy and -consideration extended to me by our Stockholders during the last twentynine years. One cannot avoid some feeling of emotion in parting with loyal and esteemed colleagues, and with the Staffs and Workpeople, from all of whom I have received generous co-operation.

It is my moat sincere and abiding desire that in every feature of its activities the Group will extend its bounds, enlarge its influence and fulfil in greater degree from year to year its long-established popularity. I now beg formally to move that the Directors' Report and Accounts for the year 1953 be approved and adopted, that the payment of Dividends. less tax, on the Cumulative Preference Stock. made on Ist June. 1953, and Ist January, 1954, and the Interim Dividend of 3d.

per Unit, less tax. on Ordinary Stock, made on 31st October. 1953, be confirmed and that the available balance of £452,519 be applied as In payment of a Final Dividend on Ordinary Stack df 18. per se. Unit, lees tax at 98.

(making le. 3d. per Unit for the year, less tax). 143.312 In carryin forward to next year the balance. of 309,207 £459,519 The Report and Accounts were adopted and the retiring Directors.

Mr. John T. Lewis. Mr. H.

0. Wright, Sir Eustace Missenden and Mr. Stanley Adams, were re-elected. In proposing Resolutions for the Payment of a pension of £1.950 per annum to Sir Patrick Hannon on his retirement, a tribute was paid to him for his long and devoted services to the Company by Mr. Stanley Adams on behalf of the Board ale this was endorsed with acclamation by members present.

SCHWEPPES LIMITED HIGHLY SATISFACTORY RESULTS STEADY INCREASE IN SALES The fifty-seventh annual general meeting of Schweppes. Limited, was held on May 27 in London, the Hon. R. Henning Philippe, M.B.E. (the chairmen).

presiding. The following is an extract from his circulated In our Home Trade the volume of sales of Schweppes. Kia-Ora and Quinnecte products have shown the WIMP steady Increase that they have shown In recent years. The Home Trading profit has risen from £785.316 to £1,009.884. All our Branches are to be congratulated cn the efficiency of their production, selling and distributing organisations which have enabled these highly satisfactory results to be attained.

York and full-scale marketing started do the Eastern Seaboard in May. After some initial difficulties the first results were decidedly encouraging. However, owing to the substantial advertising costs such an operation requires, we did not expect to earn immediate profits. This year our joint operations will oover the more important areas of the United States from twenty main centres. We believe that the plans for opening up the United States market have been well laid and that in due course we may expect to be earning substantial profits.

In May this year, again in conjunction with the Pepal-Cola Company. we shall be initiating a similar plan in Canada. and later in the year in Mexico. iOiiCtion will shortly start at a factory we have recently acquired in Birmingham, and this should assist considerably In strengthening our position In the Midlands. During the year, In order to develop the sales in this country of Pepsi-Cola.

we formed a new subsidiary, The Park Bottling Company. In which Schweppes hold a substantial proportion of the share capital. This Company's operations started in May In the London area and were later extended to the South Coast. roughly from Brighton to Southampton. was little more than a holding opera' tion while preparing our plans for 1954, which include the development orother cress.

In the Par East we have entered into franchise arrangementa In Hong Kong, where our products have met with a good local reception; and we arc also hoping this year to begin franchise operations in Colombo. In Europe we shall plans this year to start franchise bottling in 'Switzerland and Norway. Future Outlook As regards the current year, I can only tell you that at Home our gales show small increases for the first three months when compared with the'same period last year: and there la good reason to think that our Parent Company's Trading Profit should at least equal the figure we have just put before you. I moat warn shareholders that under the most tavourable conditions they should not expect any material addition to profits from our investment in The Part Bottling Company for at least three or four years. After reviewing the progress of the overseas companies, the chairman continued: During the year our franchises in Belgium and Malta have again produced excellent results.

As forecast in my last review, Schweppes (U.S.A.) Limited i.ompleted their franchise arrangements with the Pepsi-Cola Company of New In the short term, there should be no need to draw profits from Schweppes (Overseas) Limited in order to pay our Shareholders reasonable dividends. But in the long term, the oversew developments we are now undertaking will, we hope, produce added benefits for our Shareholders as well as adding indirectly to the security of employment of our workpeople. The report was adopted, CENTRAL MINING AND INVESTMENT CORPORATION The 49th annual general meeting of the Central Mining and Investment Corporation, Limited. was held yesterday in London. The Rt.

Hon. Lord Bennett, KB.E., C.M.O. (the chairman) presiding. In the course of his speech the Chairman said: The financial results for 1953 show an improvement on those for 1952. In that year our revenue from share transactions was small The more favourable conditions of the past year afforded us opportunities dealing, and we are able to bring to credit of profit and loss account an amount of Our dividend income at £7135,000 is down by about £53,000 due to the narrowing profit margins of the mines of the group.

We have transferred £500.000 to investment reserve and £107.000 to exploration reserve from the profits of the year. Our policy will be to strengthen our reserves as opportunity offers and yOu will note that, allowing for all movements on the reserves there is a gain of £642,697 for the year. Our cash position is satisfactory. The Board are recommending a small increase in the final dividend, bringing the total for the vear to as. 6d.

per share. The scale of operations on the Witwatersrand was maintained in 1953 at much the same level as in 1952. Profits, however, were seriously affected by a further rise in working costs and by the in the price received per fine ounce of gold. and aggregate profits fell by over £3' million. There are signs that some of the difficulties under which the mines have laboured in recent years are easing.

London Gold Market Earlier this year the London Market was reopened. As a consequence. it Lisa been arranged that the mines will once again sell their whole IMPROVED FINANCIAL RESULTS output to the South African Reserve Bank, which will dispose of it to the hest advantage on the London market or elsewhere. There has recently been a sustained demand for gold and the price received has been rather higher than that determined by the sterling dollar rate of exchange. thus providing the mines with a modest premium.

In the uranium field, four additional production plants were brought into commission during 1953. In April, the big plant at the Blvvooruitzicht mine started treatment of current and accumulated gold-slime residue and is now reporting profits. Good progress is being made with the construction the uranium plant on the Harmony Mine, which it la hoped will be in production shortly after the official start of gold milling in the latter part of this year. In the Orange Free State steady progress was maintained in opening up the goldfield. During the year 159.706 feet of development on reef were performed on 12 mines further disclosing the remarkable persistence of the Basal Reef throughout the area.

We are pleased with the progress and prospects of the Harmony Gold Mining Company in which we have a substantial direct and indirect interest. On the Central Rand. rising coats push up the pay limit and grade at depth tends to fall rather than to rise. Thus profitability becomes progressively smaller. On the Par West Rand, Blyvooruitsicht continues to be the principal contributor to the totals of Group gold production and profits.

It is interesting to note that the DoOrnfontein Gold Mining Company. which adjoins Blyyooruttzicht on the west, has recently come into production and is planning a further expansion of its milling operations. The report was adopted. 2.. ,1 'al', 0 0 l'; 4' 144 1 4 7 A i 7 it, 44 .4 lc --7-IPw i A 7 4.

ll jir .7 i'' 4 a ill Fans for confined spaces AF f. Woods Aerofoil fans require a less space than centrifugals, they simplify ducting, require no bulky bends. S-type fans with short casings as illustrated are ultra-compact and economical in cost..