Page 95
Page 95
Page 95
14
Although there is no magic in the word "carriages," and the sub-section expressly mentions "carriages of every description (including motor-cars and other locomotives),' in addition to "such carriages and animals as may be provided under the foregoing provisions of the Act," I do not think that airships and aeroplanes can reasonably be said to have been in the contemplation of Parliament in the framing of any of the sections relating to the impressment of carriages. Moreover, the section refers dis- tinctively to "vessels (whether boats, barges, or other)" used for the transport of any commodities upon any canal or navigable river, and this supports the view that
'carriage" must, at any rate, be confined to vehicles used for laud carriage.
But there may be no reason to regard airships and aeroplanes as essentially outside the general policy of the section, and I think, therefore, that, following the precedent of 1909, when it was amended so as to make it clearly applicable to motor-cars, the difficulty might be met by the insertion of appropriate provision in the next Annual Army Act.
The matter is, however, one of opinion, and if this method of dealing with it should be inconvenient it would perhaps be desirable to take the advice of the Law Officers.
I am, &c.
(Signed) JOHN P. MELLOR.
PRINTED AT THE FOREIGN OFFICE BY C. R. HARRISON ——26/2/1913.
Page 95
Page 95Page 96