IMPRESSMENT OF VEHICLES

Evening Star, Issue 23863, 18 April 1941, Page 3

IMPRESSMENT OF VEHICLES

FARMERS' CLAIMS RESOLUTION OF PROTEST “ Fanners should make a strong protest against the system of impressment of motor vehicles, in my opinion,” said Mr AV. AV. Mulhollancl, Dominion president of the Farmers’ Union, at a meeting of the Provincial Council yesterday afternoon. “ The only factortaken into consideration is the suitability of vehicles for military purposes. There should have been lists of vehicles that are essential and non-essential, and then owners on the latter list would have the right to appeal against the inclusion of their vehicles in the non-essential category.”

“ The authorities concerned with the impressment of motor vehicles are working without any system at all,” he maintained. “ The impressment is being carried out chiefly by transport officials, and industry, including farming, is only lightly represented. Right at the beginning I urged that all vehicles should be classified as to the amount of usage and whether they were essential. This was not done, and the committee dealing with the impressment is not doing its job, as it is not tackling the problem in the right way-. “ Everyone must realise from recent statements that the petrol position is very unsatisfactory,” he continued, “ and it seems that further heavy cuts are likely. If they have to be made they should bo made carefully and with a view to maintaining the efficiency of the country. A list such as I suggested would be of great use for the applying of cuts in petrol.” A resolution was carried protesting at the present system of impressment and urging the compilation of lists as suggested by Mr Mnlholland.