STRONG PROTEST

Wairarapa Times-Age, 18 March 1941, Page 4

STRONG PROTEST

AGAINST METHODS ADOPTED IN IMPRESSMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES. RESOLUTIONS BY WAIRARAPA FARMERS. “I think the Government should know that this meeting of farmers feels very strongly at being treated in such a way,” said Mr R. W. Kebbell, who presided at yesterday’s meeting of the Wairarapa Provincial Executive of the Farmers’ Union, when referring 1o the impressment of motor 1 rucks.

It was mentioned that the impressment forms had been printed in August, 1939, before the war broke out.

“An Act of Parliament wasUin operation before the regulations were issued and books of impressment forms were printed to carry the Act out. I would not hold that out against the Government as they did not have notice when the trucks were likely to be wanted,” said Mr Kebbell. “No doubt the manoeuvres were thought out weeks ago.” Voices: “Months ago.” Mr Kebbell gave an instance of a farmer being called out of his bed on Saturday night and told that his vehicle was wanted at Trentham next morning. “He was a member of the Home Guard and his lorry was used for military training. “A thing like this would be all right if the enemy had made a landing,” continued Mr Kebbell. He pointed out that a considerable quantity of benzine had been wasted. He believed some 120 gallons had been used in Eketahuna alone through trucks going to Wellington and back again. DEFINITE RULING WANTED. “Can we have a definite ruling today as to what is the position regarding impressment?” asked Mr W. G. K. Wiggins, who mentioned the case of a Greytown farmer who would have been unable to continue milking if his lorry had been taken. The position was that if a man had a good case he should send in his appeal to the No. 2 Transport Licensing Authority and use his truck meantime, said the secretary, Mr R. H. Williams. ! Mr J. L. Heckler, who cited a case' in his district concerning an impressment order served on a farmer milking 80 cows, said the authorities at Trentham knew all about the truck and when it was delivered there said it had better be taken back, in view of the man milking so many cows. SHOCKING MESS-UP. "It was a shocking mess-up," observed a member. “It seems to be very ill-advised in the method adopted, with the point of acceptance so far away,” said Mr L. T. Daniell, who added that the percentage of trucks accepted was very small. The Minister had said the trucks were not required for overseas, but for manoeuvres in New Zealand. Where anyone had grounds for appeal, he kept the/ and filled in a form for appeal.\ parent'ly the urgency for getting’Jhe trucks had passed, as the manoeuvres were not now to be held on the same scale. He considered that sittings of the appeal board should be held in Masterton. LABOUR POACHING. “Out of the muddle arising from the impressment of trucks, one aspect becomes clear,” said Mr Daniell, “and reinforces a moral that the farming community has before made pointed remark upon. The Government has not hesitated to commandeer capital, primary produce or men for the fighting forces. But labour poaching goes on unchecked and one of the failures of the Government war administration has been in this field. The 40 hour week makes conditions more desirable in certain fields and permits a definite prejudice against farming. “Every industry is losing many skilled men overseas,” Mr Daniell added, “but is losing others by poaching and partly by the offer of higher pay. Yet reference to the 40 hour week is shunned to the detriment of war industry. Worse, a man may change his occupation at will or caprice. The 40 hour week situation might be overcome by any Government bold enough to act and poaching of skilled workers might easily be ended by making it an offence, as it is in Britain, to engage a man normally engaged in certain specified trades except through the Labour or Man Power Departments or by any other fixed arrangements." It was agreed on the motion of Mr Wiggins, Mr Hutchins seconding, that a demand be made to the Government for an appeal board to hold sittings in the Wairarapa. “If any emergency arises, 1 can see a far greater muddle arising than this," commented Mr Kebbell. who said he considered that the whole organisation of the Home Guard and E.P.S. should be taken over by the Army.