MOTOR TRANSPORT

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24189, 3 February 1942, Page 4

MOTOR TRANSPORT

IMPRESSMENT OF TRUCKS

USE OF ARMY VEHICLES

(0.C.) CHRISTCHURCH, Monday Army vehicles may be used to handle industrial transport to help in meeting the position arising out of the impressment of trucks. Mr. T. H. Langford, Licensing Authority, said he had had no official instructions regarding such a procedure, but added that he had been advised by the Commissioner of Transport, Mr. G. L. Laurenson, that "where existing transport facilities are insufficient to meet the demands of industry, arrangements are to be made for the use of Army vehicles and drivers." Questioned regarding the practicability of such a scheme, Mr. Langford refused to make any comment. Brigadier 0. H. Mead, Officer Commanding the Southern Military District, was also asked whether the Army could provide the assistance suggested by Mr. Laurenson, but he replied: "1 have nothing to say."

CARRYING OF PRODUCE

PARADOXICAL SITUATION (0.C.) CHRISTCHURCH, Monday Petrol restrictions and the impressment of trucks by the authorities are rapidly creating an acute position in the inward and outward transport of fruit and vegetables handled in the Christchurch markets. "if prompt action is not taken to remedy the situation," said Mr. H. E. Radley, a city produce merchant, "the paradoxical situation will arise that vegetables —the scarcity and high prices of which have recently been the subject of investigation by the Price Tribunal — may lie _ rotting in the paddocks and the public will be going short." When this matter was referred to the District Transport Licensing Authority with a request that the Transport Department arrange for local carriers to assist, it was pointed out that the department, at the present time, had no authority to take such action. "This state of affairs," said Mr. Radley, "exists in spite of the Transport Minister's announcement that a reserve transport pool is to be created to meet any urgent demands that may arise if existing facilities prove insufficient, and that the pool is to be under the jurisdiction of the four transport licensing authorities."