DEFENCE OF N.Z.

Grey River Argus, 19 July 1941, Page 4

DEFENCE OF N.Z.

NEW MOTOR RESERVE. For Army Transport P.A. _ WELLINGTON, July 18. A special Army Motor Transport Reserve is being established in I'tew Zealand to meet the ernergi ucy transport requirements .of the Army in the event of attack. Hon. R. Sempie announced th;3 today. He said that this reserve tvill be organised into units to be know-n as “Lines of Communication—Motor Transport Companies." “Adequate motor transport is an essential requirement of modern warfare,” said Mr Semple. “The purpose of this scheme is io provide a weil organised transport reserve to meet the nebd should it arise. The organisation is primarily, for the use of the Army, and in the event of an emergency, it will be subject to Army control. The whole organisation will be on a voluntary basis and the personnel will be attested under the Home Guard "A special course of instrui lion for District Group and Company officers is being held at the. Army School of Instruction, Trenmam, from the 19th to the 2Gth of July. As soon as this is completed, the officers will proceed with the training of the companies under their charge. The whole scheme has been carefully examined by the Army and Home Guard authorities, the Rood Transport Organisation, and the Transport Department, and I fee’ that this new organisation will be the means of providing an additional safeguard to our national security I word' 1 > to nat' a tribute to the Carriers’ Federation and the Road Transport Alliance for valuable assistance which they have so freelv given in connection Avith the scheme." The Minister . said that arrangements Avere already under wav; for the os+nbpc’fiment of a number of c.ompan ies