MOTOR VEHICLES FOR ARMY

Southland Times, Issue 24421, 29 April 1941, Page 6

MOTOR VEHICLES FOR ARMY

TRANSPORT AUTHORITY DECISIONS MINISTER REFUSES TO EXERCISE VETO (P.A.) ' CHRISTCHURCH, April 28. A declaration that he would not veto the decision of any Transport Authority on the impressment pf motor vehicles for military service was made today by the Minister of National Service, the Hon R. Semple. The Christchurch Drainage Board asked for the Minister’s assistance to have a heavy duty motor-cycle used by its foreman released from impressment, but only because the full reasons had not' been given on appeal, Mr Semple consented to ask the Transport Authority. Mr T. H. Langford, to discuss impressment further with the board’s officials. “I want the board to understand thoroughly that I do not interfere with the judgments of tribunals appointed to deal with impressments,” Mr Semple said. “If I started to veto the decisions of appeal boards it would make impressment ineffective. It would possibly make the Minister ridiculous if he took upon himself the responsibility of giving decisions after having denied himself the right to listen to the full story. If appeals were made in writing I could not be certain that I would give a just decision. Crossexamination and questioning help to make judgment and I would be imposing a wrong if I judged on written statements. I would be placing myself in an invidious position and I am not going to do it. I am always afraid unless an appeal comes to me in a constitutional manner.

“Mr Langford’s decision in this case stands until he alters it himself. This impressment business has been a very difficult and very unpleasant -task, but it has had to be done, like the imposition of the blackout in coastal’ towns. We are entrusted to do these things for the safety of people and if we disobey the advice of the service chiefs the nation would be justified, if anything happened, in trying the Government for treason. Whether or not they embarass the people, we have to put up with sacrifices more than ever. We are lucky. We should thank God we are living here and keep on thanking God that we are as safe as we are. Our troubles are infinitesimal compared with the difficulties confronting those in other parts of the world.”