MOTOR VEHICLES

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21367, 11 March 1941, Page 6

MOTOR VEHICLES

STATE REQUISITIONS POSITION IN WAIKATO Rumour has been fairly prevalent in Hamilton this week concerning the Government announcement that certain motor vehicles are being requisitioned for military purposes, and there has been a good deal of perturbation in view of the statements published in other centres. As far as can be gathered from inquiry in official quarters, what has been done in the Waikato has been the preparation of a roster of motor vehicles believed to be available. Requisitions have been served on various owners indicating that vehicles may be required. That does not mean that those vehicles will definitely be taken over by the authorities, but rather that they may be required at short notice. If an owner so desires, he can lodge an appeal to the No. 1 Licensing Authority, who will consider the claims made and make liis decisions. There is provision for a further appeal to the Minister of Transport in Wellington. It may be that vehicles that have been the subject of requisition orders will never be called in, or that some weeks, and even months, will elapse before they are called for; but if no appeal is lodged it will be assumed that the owners will not require them or are prepared to put up with some inconvenience for the public welfare. Figures Not Available Asked if he could state the number of vehicles in the No. 4 (Hamilton) military area that would be required, the inspector of vehicles said last evening that that figure was not available at present. His task was merely to prepare a list of vehicles. That was being done with the utmost tact, and the minimum of inconvenience was intended. As to the class of vehicle, he said that, as a general guide, it could be stated that vehicles ranging in carrying capacity from 15 cwt to 3 tons would be most in request, though possibly a few other vehicles of lighter weight capacity may also be requisitioned. The public was assured by the inspector that there would be no wholesale requisitioning of vehicles. REPLACED VEHICLES IMPRESSMENT QUESTION (By Telegraph.—Press Association) WELLINGTON, Tuesday Replying to a question as to whether firms, which had had vehicles impressed and had secured other vehicles also, the Hon. R. Semple said that such a happening was unlikely, except in a case of extreme emergency.