IMPRESSMENT

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 4, 16 January 1942, Page 5

IMPRESSMENT

MANY VEHICLES TAKEN

TRUCKS AND MOTOR CYCLES

Impressment of motor trucks is proceeding steadily in the Whakatane district, and the owners of a many vehicles have had their trucks inspected by officers of the Army Department, have received notice of intention to impress, and either have received or are expecting to receive the warrants of impressment which demands that, they deliver their vehicle to the district assembly point at a specified day and time. For Whakatanc that point is at Tauranga.

The number of vehicles which have been inspected by the Army Department officers or in respect of which impressment notices have been issued is not available, but the

number already effected is large,

and further notices are coming to hand. In addition to trucks and vans, motor cycles are in demand, Jlnd quite a number in this district ■Ire already the subject of notices. first step is the inspection of the vehicles by the Army Department, this giving the owner the lirst warning that his vehicle is likely to be taken. The official intimation of this is the notice of intention to impress forwarded from the local post office at the bequest of the army authorities. Only appeals made within seven. daj r s of the issue of this notice arc allowed, and these •appeals go tO' the No 1 . 1 franspoit Licensing Authority, Mir Phelan, Auckland, for his consideration. In many cases vehicle owners forwarded appeals immediately alter the inspection, and in one or two case*, such as where a truck was used on ;a cream service and no other vehicle was available, the news of the appeals being considered favourably came back so quickly as to forestall the notice of intention to impress. The third and final notice is the warrant of impressment. The time for appeal having then been exhausted, this is simply a requirement that the truck shall be delivered at Tauranga at a specified date -arid time.

Up to date it is understood several cars have been impressed, though a number have been offered toi the army authorities by owners who find little use for them now that petrol is not available. Disappointing Response A certain amount of apprehension appears to exist in the minds of the public regarding the impressment of motor vehicles which, is taking place throughout the Dominion at the present time, says a statement made in Hamilton by the impressment authority. The Army requires motor trucks —particularly in the heavy class—most urgently and according to the District Motor Vehicle Controller the response to the demands for these vehicles has been very disappointing. It must be realised that such a call on the transport of the country as is being made will have detrimental effects on business and. cause inconvenience and necessitate rearrangements being made, but it cannot be stressed too strongly that the need for trucks for the Army is most urgent and necessary for the security of the Dominion. The position is indeed serious, particularly as E.P.S. requirements cannot be filled unless and until the requisite number of vehicles are found for the Army. It is suggested that, as the Army are taking only recent model vehicles, owners who have received notices, of impressment can assist materially by replacing their vehicles with, earlier .models.

Further Steps Possible Every endeavour has been made to cause as little inconvenience as possible, but unless the position imfjproves rapitlly further drastic steps will have to be taken. It is suggested that, although a great deal of inconvenience may be caused, owners of fleets: of vehicles should not appeal when they have received notices in respect of only a small portion of their vehicles. A warning is given that an impressment warrant is not to be treated lightly or ignored. Upon receipt of a Notice of Intention to Impress the owner has the right of appeal to the District Licensing Authority in Auckland, but it is hoped that this right of appeal will be used only in cases of extreme necessity. The Impressment Warrant is a legal document and the instructions on It must be, carried out, otherwise the matter may be put in the hands of the police and substantial penalties may be imposed for non-compliance with the demands.