HORSE TRANSPORT

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 175, 27 July 1942, Page 4

HORSE TRANSPORT

MOTOR REPLACEMENT

SURVEY BEING TAKEN

"A *back to the horse' committee has been set up in Canterbury," said the Minister of Transport, Mr. Semple, to-day, when discussing the zoning of goods delivery services. "The committee is talcing a survey of the number of horses available, he said, "the harness and vehicles that can be procured, the number of blacksmiths who can be employed, and the iron that can be requisitioned for horseshoes. It is hoped to have similar committees operating throughout the Dominion before long, because it is recognised that there will be no option but to get back to the horse-drawn vehicle if the war continues for any great length of time." Mr. Semple said that it would take time to complete a census of the horseflesh of the country and to obtain the necessary information concerning what would be necessary to organise horse-drawn transport on a large scale. Heavy horses would not be required to any great extent, but ordinary coach horses would be required. We have not only got to zone, pool and rationalise, we also have to improvise," said the Minister. "If the necessity arrives we will have to go back to the old system. Rubber must be conserved, and if hardship is imposed we will have to take it. The position is forced on the country through circumstances over which we have no control.

The Minister referred to the sacrifices by the men who had fought in the desert, in Greece and in Crete, and said that those who grumbled about trifling inconveniences in New Zealand should bow their heads in shame. A war of survival was being fought, and before it came to an end many more sacrifices might have to be made, but he hoped that the people would not be called upon to make greater sacrifices than were necessary.