EMERGENCY TRANSPORT

Greymouth Evening Star, 29 March 1941, Page 2

EMERGENCY TRANSPORT

MR. SEMPLE’S STATEMENT.

[per press association.]

WELLINGTON, March 28. “During the eighteen months that New Zealand has been at war, the necessity for making provision for transport for. emergency purposes has become increasingly pressing,” said Mr. Semple, when referring to-night to the provision of emergency transport. “Some work has already been done in various parts of New Zealand, but much more still remains to be done before the situation can be regarded as having been adequately 'provided for. In approving of the plan now being put into operation by the transport industry, the Government decided that the matter should be viewed from the national rather than from the local standpoint. The factors and requirements which it> was necessary to take into account are briefly:— “(1) The provision of a large number of vehicles, to become the property of the Army, for training and the defence of New Zealand.

“(2) The provision of an emergency or auxiliary transport system, entirely for the defence forces; or, alternatively, on which the Army “(3) The provision of transport of “(3) The provision oftransport of all kinds for E.P.S., Home Guard, or other similar organisations. “On examination, it became obvious that a solution of the problem could no longer be left to each of the organisations requiring transport, as, in. many cases, judging by the rate of progress, considerable time would elapse before the arrangements would be completed, while, from the point’ of view of vehicles available, it was evident that provision for all of „ these schemes as separate entities was practically impossible, without conflict of interest arising. The strain of providing for all of the transport requirements will become increasingly great as time goes on; and the commercial transport fleets can only provide for emergency requirements, in addition to their normal work if, and when, organised on the most effective basis possible. “The plan to which I have referred is designed to accomplish this through the practical application of the principle of co-operation between the Government Departments, the emergency organisations, and the transport industry. I want to emphasise that it is not intended to undo the work of any existing E.P.S., Home Guard, or other organisation; but to point out the necessity for the co-ordination of their requirements with those of the defence forces which must, claim priority. For this reason,' the Government looks to all concerned to meet this problem with a view to adjusting it amicably and in the wider national interests, by practical and wholehearted co-oper-ation. lam sure that, if this is done, all of the requirements will be admirably met to the satisfaction of ah concerned.”