FUEL SOURCES

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 5, 17 October 1940, Page 2

FUEL SOURCES

AUCKLAND MOTORISTS PROTEST THE RIGHTS OF INSPECTORS. (Per Press Association'. AUCKLAND, October 16. A protest against the rights invested in Transport Department traffic inspectors to stop motorists travelling beyond the district in which their vehicles are registered and question drivers as to how they obtained sufficient petrol for such trips, was made at a meeting of the Automobile Association (Auckland) to-night. It was reported that an Auckland motorist was recently asked to furnish an explanation to the Oil Fuel Controller as to how, without an oil fuel licence, he obtained petrol to make regular week-end trips to Beaclilands, so that his monthly mileage was about 450. Later inquiries showed that the action was taken as a result of an anonymous report; but a wrong registration number was quoted, and the motorist concerned was wrongly implicated.

Members expressed surprise that a Government official had acted on information supplied anonymously. It was decided to ask for a complete explanation of the matter, and suggest that an apology, which appeared justified but had not been given, should be addressed to the motorist involved.

The president, Mr F. G. Farrell, said that any motorist was within his rights to give any number of petrol coupons to his friends if lie felt so disposed; but it was illegal to sell a coupon. In view of this official assurance it was wrong theft motorists should be stopped and questioned as to whether they came by their petrol legitimately.

“Are we to be subjected to these Gestapo methods?” Mr Farrell asked. “While the petrol rationing position obtains we must get some definite rulings in the matter. It is time we took a stand, and refused to bow down under regulations which make such a position possible.”

Mr Farrell was instructed to interview the Commissioner of Transport during a visit 1 to Wellington at the end of the month.