TRUCKS FOR ARMY

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21365, 8 March 1941, Page 8

TRUCKS FOR ARMY

CRITICISM OF TRADE LACK OF CO-OPERATION “DESCRIPTION OF INDUSTRY” (By Telegraph.—Press Association) WELLINGTON, Saturday No general comment on the impressment of vehicles is being made by carriers in Wellington, as the President of the New Zealand Carriers’ Federation is in Christchurch, where he has been attending a conference on the matter. It is not known what may have been decided there. It is stated, however, that the president has communicated with his firm and has said that the impressed vehicles must be delivered. Appeals were to be lodged, where the effect bn industry justified it.

Inquiries reveal that many vehicles of Wellington carriers have been called for and many are left without vehicles to carry on their business. The larger firms, also, have been called upon to deliver some of their vehicles.

The president of the Motor Trade Federation, Mr C. R. Edmond said: “We are prepared to endure anything if it will help win the war but we think a great deal of disruption in industry could have been avoided by more co-operation. The Government has not consulted the motor trade although we have offered the use of our organisation on three occasions and the offer is still open.” Not Sufficient Time He considered the authorities had made a tremendous mistake in not allowing sufficient time for the owners to make the adjustments that must be made because of the impressment of vehicles. “We do not know enough to criticise the method that has been adopted but we are certain it is going to have serious repercussions. Some of the inconvenience could have been avoided by a little more co-operation. If the vehicles are needed they have got to be taken but we have not been told why a little more time could not have been allowed.”