NEED OF ARMY

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21368, 12 March 1941, Page 9

NEED OF ARMY

TRUCKS REQUIRED NORTH ISLAND SHORTAGE MINISTER’S STATEMENT (By Telegraph.—Press Association) WELLINGTON, Tuesday “ The impressment of vehicles for the Army must go on,” said the Minister of National Service, the Hon. R. Semple, in a statement to-day. “ We are still several hundred vehicles short of the actual requirements. While I cannot disclose the number required or the number taken under the impressment scheme, I am permitted to say that South Island requirements for the manoeuvres that commenced yesterday were fairly well met. but the North Island qtiota has not been filled. It is therefore necessary to make a considerable effort in the near future, as largescale field force manoeuvres will take place next month. Mr Semple added that he regretted the hardship that might be suffered by individuals, but everyone would agree that Army requirements were of paramount importance. Our local forces could not be properly trained and operate at the maximum efficiency unless they were adequately equipped, and the Government sought the co-operation of all concerned in meeting the position. Some difficulties had arisen, said Mr Semple, but the scheme provided for an immediate appeal to the local licensing authorities, and he would emphasise that, immediately an owner was notified that his vehicle was to be impressed, he should, if he had any objection, get in touch with the licensing authority at once, even by telephone, if the urgency of the case demanded it. Every endeavour would be made to give owners notice before a notice of impressment was issued, but in some cases it might be impossible to do this. To meet such cases , notices would accompany every impressment order giving the owner information regarding appeal procedure.