[modeleng] "Smoke Rings" - Comment

Hi All,

   I discovered the other day that I was one of the people who could not 
send to the list.   I discovered it when I tried to post the 
following.   As I think that I can once again post to the list ... here 
it is - I wonder what you all think?



  I have been waiting to read some comments,  in this forum,  on the 
opening paragraphs of the editorial ("Smoke Rings") in the latest Model 
Engineer (Issue No.: 4252).   In the absence of any views expressed I 
thought I would start the ball rolling and see what others think.

  For those who haven't read,  or received their M.E. yet,  the editor 
is asking readers to contact their Member of Parliament,  objecting to 
the possibility that the U.K. will adopt an EU ruling that means that 
magazines like the M.E. will no longer be distributed through "small 
retail outlets".

  I have a couple of comments about this request:

     1.   The editor suggests that the M.E. relies for its circulation 
figures on the sales off the shelves in bookshops.   If other large 
bookshops are the same as the branch of W.H. Smiths in Truro,  the Model 
Engineer and its companion magazine Model Engineers' Workshop (and 
similar magazines covering other minority interests) have not graced the 
shelves of this establishment for several months.   I used to pick up 
the occasional issue of M.E.W. (and other magazines covering electronic 
hobbies) - but no longer.   Thus the EU directive will have no effect on 
this large outlet for the magazines - it has already been lost.

     2.   The editor asks us to write to our M.Ps. asking them to oppose 
the move to adopt the EU directive.   Nowhere in the description of this 
possible bureaucratic move are any references given to the title,  or 
any reference number,  for this EU ruling.   How can we expect our M.P.s 
to know just what we are talking about when we cannot point them to the 
correct piece of legislation?

  What do others think about this editorial plea.   Have others a 
clearer view of the background to this possible situation.


     Cheers,


        Roger Mason,  in St. Agnes.

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