BUSINESS MEN’S COMMENT

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 140, 10 March 1941, Page 9

BUSINESS MEN’S COMMENT

Disruption Of Work SHORT NOTICE FELT UNNECESSARY

Commenting on the impressment of motor-vehicles for use by the Army, representatives of the business community state that though firms are willing to make sacrifices for the benefit of the country they feel that means of transport have been taken from them at unnecessarily short notice. Among the questions that are asked is whether such a state of emergency exists as warrants impressment at a few hours notice. “We are prepared to endure anything if it will help to win the war, but we think that a great deal of disruption in industry could have been avoided by more co-operation,” the president of the Motor Trade Federation, Mr. C. R. Edmond, said. “The Government has not consulted the motor trade, though we have offered the use of our organization on three occasions. That offer is still open.” Mr. Edmond said he considered that the authorities had made a great mistake in not allowing sufficient time for owners to make necessary adjustments because of the impressment of vehicles.. If commercial interests had been given a little more notice arrangements could have been made to minimize the disruption of essential services. _ The taking of vehicles out of industry would have a far-reaching effect on businesses depending on motor transport, Mr. Edmond said. One petrol reseller had informed him that his business depended to such a large extent on heavy vehicles that he considered the impressment of sucn vehicles would make it difficult for him to carry on. Many repair businesses would also feel the effect of the reduction in the number of vehicles in use. Those who must have vehicles for their businesses would obviously endeavour to secure them by repurchase, but the market was, bare and relief could not be expected there. “Our main point,” said Mr. Edmond, “is that we have been willing to help with the reorganizing of the ’motor dustry that must take place when these vehicles are removed, but our help has not been asked. We do not enough to criticize the method that has been adopted, but we are certain that it is going to have serious repercussions. Some of the inconvenience could have been avoided by a little more co-operation. If the vehicles are needed they have to be taken, but we have not been told why a little more time could not have been allowed. “The business community of ton is ajnazed at the manner in which the impressment of vehicles has been carried out by the’ authorities said Mr R. H. Nimmo, president of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce. 'Not the slightest endeavour was made -o obtain the co-operation of business people. Instead, the authorities have made a peremptory demand, apparently without consideration for the repercussions of their demands upon business and the civil population generally. It appeared that the authorities, whoever they might be, had gone through registration lists and impressed vehicles of certain classes without consideration of whether they were essential for carrying on of the business of the owners, but so abruptly had the command to deliver been given and so great was the consequent turmoil, that it was not possible to gain a full impression of what was being done. But certain it was that business people were indignant in the extreme over the manner in which the vehicles were impressed. “Business people are already carrying on under great difficulties, arising from import restrictions, heavy taxation, and war difficulties generally, to which were added Wednesday’s overseas ballpt, and now this abrupt command to hand over vehicles,” he said. “We are willing and more than willing to make any sacrifice that is necessary in the national interests if an'Awhen emergencies arise, which call for further sacrifices. But has_ in fact such an emergency arisen as dictates an impressment in the manner ordered? If the enemy were at the harbour gates, it is not conceivable that any speedier method could have been adopted in calling up vehicles. In such circumstances the carrying on of much Civil business might have to go, but time after time it has been impressed on us that our duty is to keep the wheels turning. This impressment is not going to stop all industry, but it is going to disorganize most seriously a great many businesses, whereas by the exercise of the common-sense methods of discussion, or even by giving sufficient warning to enable adjustments to be made, disorganization, indignation, and even bitterness could have bedn avoided.”

Notices were delivered at 8 and 9 o’clock on Friday night commanding the delivery of vehicles at Trentham on Saturday. Apparently those using the impressment notices had overlooked the closing of offices on Saturdays, and >o had ordered managements which would not be at their offices on Saturday to deliver vehicles forthwith on pain of heavy penalty. Questions That Are Asked.

“In the absence of any warning, pronouncement, or explanation, there is consternation among those affected, and the questions that are most asked are: Why were those organizations competent and willing-to assist and advise not consulted; whether in fact such a state of emergency exists as warrants impressment at a few hours’ notice, irrespective of effect upon the civil community; and what are the qualifications of those in charge of impressment to judge what will be the repercussions of their actions on industry and the civil population?

“True, provision is made for the hearing of appeals and objections at Trenthajn—not at a centre point in the city, be it noted—and it may be that the impressment will be toned down to something approaching reasonable practice when owners have stated their cases, but that does not alter the fact that by going about Impressment in another manner turmoil and indignation would have been avoided.”