CALLING UP CARS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24147, 13 December 1941, Page 10

CALLING UP CARS

IMPRESSMENT DECISION

THE QUESTION OF APPEALS [BY TKLEGRAI'H —I'ItKSS association] WELLING TON, Friday

The Minister of National Service, the Hon. R. Semple, said to-day that as a result of the decision of the Government that New Zealand be placed on a war footing it had become necessary to obtain immediately the essential motor vehicles for the armed forces. It was therefore proposed to proceed at once with the impressment of motor vehicles in order to meet this demand. "Everyone in New Zealand will realise that Ave must be ready to meet any eventuality," said the Minister. "I know that every New Zealander will support and assist the Government in the action being taken through the district motor vehicle controllers and their advisory committees. Every endeavour has been made to remove undue hardship. I think that I can rely on the motor vehicle owners of the country rallying to the cause without lodging unnecessary appeals against impressment notices. As far as is possible, every owner will be given sufficient notice of intention to impress his vehicle to enable him to state any grounds for appeal, but, as I have said before, I sincerely hope that this right of appeal will not be availed of."

EMERGENCY SERVICE NEEDS DISAPPOINTING RESPONSE "Only 100 motor-cars have been received so far and, considering the urgent state of the war, I think this is disappointing," said Mr. F. G. Farrell, president of the Automobile Association (Auckland), yesterday afternoon, following an appeal by the district transport controller, Mr. A. E. Ford, for 500 motor-cars for emergency service. Mr. Farrell added that if sufficient vehicles were not forthcoming, it would be necessary to impress as many as were required. "I thought we would have got at least half the 500 wanted on the first day of the appeal," Mr. Farrell continued. He said 150 Ford and Chevrolet motor-cars, five-seaters of 1936 model or later, were wanted without drivers, and 850 other cars, not smaller than 10 horse-power, were also required. It was desired to build up a pool, so that any call for motor-vehicles could be promptly met. Owners are requested to apply for enrolment at the office of the Automobile Association, in Durham Street.