E.P.S. Transport Sections’ Difficulties

Northern Advocate, 28 May 1941, Page 8

E.P.S. Transport Sections’ Difficulties

A definite ruling was sought as to the position of the transport section of the Emergency Precautions Scheme organisation regarding transport vehicles and other matters by the Whangarei organisation. The difficulties of the transport section was pointed out to the executive of the organisation at its meeting last night by the following letter: Transport Difficulties “This committee points out many difficulties in formulating and maintaining an efficient branch of your organisation through changing plans, Army impressment of vehicles, drivers in the Home Guard, control of petrol not yet clarified, etc., and we feel that the Ministerial authority should be sought by you to give a definite ruling, as, in the event of an emergency, transportation would be called on to take a most important part, and is prepared to do this, but must know their definite powers. We are very keen® to do our utmost although we feel that with Army control and Home Guard control and E.P.S. (?) control that there is in effect no control, and members feel that we are not accomplishing anything. “We had listed out vehicles suitable as ambulances and for various purposes in the area, since which time quite a number of these have been impressed, thus rendering our work in this direction null and void in the main.”

Control of Petrol

In regard to petrol control the executive has received the following information from the Director of National Service:

“I have to state that in the event of emergency, available supplies for civil purposes will remain under the control of the Oil Fuel Controller.

“In practice, the local Oil Fuel Controller (the postmaster) will take full control and petrol will be made available only on orders issued under his authority by your supply committee. This will ensure the use of the fuel for essential emergency purposes. The stored military supplies will, of course, be held intact for the requirements of the defence authorities. So far as concerns the protection of such supplies, arrangements have been made for the proprietors and/or employees of bowser stations to join the Home Guard as Guardsmen, to undertake the responsibility of protecting such installations.”

Changing Position

In view of the changing position in regard to the impressment of motor vehicles, with the setting up of a new committee in Whangarei for this purpose, the executive decided to allow this matter to stand over till next meeting, when the position may be clarified.