SOMETHING WRONG

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 302, 28 September 1940, Page 8

SOMETHING WRONG

ALLOCATIONS OF PETROL. PROTEST AT CHRISTCHURCH. (Per Press Association). CHRTSTCHROH, September 27. “There is something wrong when Ministers of the Crown can roam round the -country at large in cars and enjoy themselves while soldiers on final leave cannot get petrol,” said Mr P. F. Harris, secretary of the Otago Association, at the South Island Motor Union s annual mooting.\ He protested vigorously against the ruling of the oil fuel controller that a special petrol allowance could not he made available for soldiers on final leave to enable them to visit relatives in country districts. The meeting was invited by Mr Harris to make a strong protest against “this hit of nonsense.” Whether the oil fuel controller or the regulations are responsible I do not know, hut it does seem to me that persons sitting comfortably in high places can arbitrarily turn down a reasonable request like that,” Mr Harris said. “They may not come hack, and they want to have a last look round the country. Petrol is allowed for up to 300 miles in England, where there is a real war, and it should be done here.” He considered that the granting of special allowances should be left to the various local fuel controllers.

Mr J. H. Main (Oamaru) suggested that there had been a change of front, as he knew of a case where a pilotsergeant on final leave had obtained 14 gallons in Christchurch to visit Oamaru.

•The union decided to make a protest and to ask for a universal rule.