IMPRESSMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23495, 25 November 1941, Page 4

IMPRESSMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES

STATEMENT BY COMMISSIONER TRANSPORT The advisory committee of the Darfleld motor vehicle district, which comprises the counties of Malvern, Selwyn, Tawera and Ellesmere and the town districts of Leeston and Southbridge, met recently to confer with Mr G. L. Laurenson, the Commissioner of Transport. The committee consists of Messrs H. C. Townshend (E.P.S. organisations), G. C. Warren (farmers), J. E. Frew, and C. Stuart (transport interests), and Lieutenant L. , Harris (Army). The district controller is Mr G. L. Popple (Darfleld). Mr Laurenson said that the new arrangement for the supply of motor transport in a national emergency was a distinct improvement on the arbitrary method previously adopted. Vehicles considered suitable fop the Army would remain with their owners till the Army was mobilised. He felt sure that in such an event, owners would make their vehicles available for the defence of New Zealand. Such vehicles would be selected by the district controller, who would act with the advisory committee. Owners would be notified by the chief impressment officer. If the Army did mobilise, the vehicles would be purchased or hired by the defence authorities. Vehicles required for the Emergency Reserve Corps would be needed for the period of emergency only, and would then be returned to the owner, compensation being arranged between the owner and the hiring authority. Though provision had been made for the right of appeal to the district licensing authority in both cases, it was hoped that this would never have to be exercise, he concluded.