OIL FUELS.

Auckland Star, 4 September 1939, Page 9

OIL FUELS.

MUST BE CONSERVED.

MOTOR SPIRIT REGULATION. NONE FOR PRIVATE CARS. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. Restrictions on the sale of motor spirit were announced by the Minister of Supply, Hon. D. G. Sullivan, early this morning. "It will no doubt be appreciated liy all that in such an emergency as has now arisen conservation of our oil fuels is a matter of prime importance," Mr. Sullivan said. "It is the Government's desire to allow the commercial community to continue its activities with as little disruption as possible until the full extent of the emergency is known and the visible supplies coming forward can be estimated with a measure of certainty.

"On the other hand it has been considered necessary in the initial stages of the scheme to restrict entirely supplies of .nutor spirit to owners of cars used for private and pleasure purposes. This general restriction may, of course, bo niodilied in special rases where it can be proved to the satisfaction of the district controller or the sub-district controllers, win will be administering the scheme on behalf of the oil fuel controller throughout the country, that a supply of motor spirit to any particular private vehicle is in the circumstances essential. "It is hoped that the motoring public will accept the measure of inconvenience which will be placed upon them in the initial stages of control in the spirit of patriotism that is so essential to combat the emergency," the Minister said. "It is hoped that it will be found possible to relax the restrictions as soon as it can be ascertained what supplies of Motor spirit are coming forward to the Dominion and what prospects there are of obtaining further regular shipments." The Minister gave an assurance fiat I the restrictions would be lifted as soon as possible, and he appealed for cooperation so as to allow the activities of the commercial community to proceed in their normal wav.

DEPOTS OPENED. LICENSES FOR FUEL POSITION IN AUCKLAND. Depots for the issuing of oil fuel licenses were opened in Auckland this morning. Until the rationing scheme becomes fully effective supplies of petrol to private car owners are not to exceed two gallons at any one time. When the plan comes into full force supplies to private motor cars will virtually cease. Chief licensing dejwjt is at the Chief Post Office. Room 212, wlu-re until this morning social security registrations were made. Organisation of the rationing system is controlled from the Post Office, and is aimed at effecting the plan without undue hardship to the business community. Car owners are advised that to get a license they mu--t make application on special forms that are available at all post offices. These must be posted or handed in. Most deputy-registrars of motor vehicles in the city and suburbs have been appointed sub-dis-trict controllers under -these emergency measures. Each person who is granted a license may obtain petrol only from one vendor whom he must name. Exceptions will be made in the case of commercial travellers, who will be granted special permits. Motorists now on tour will be granted enough petrol to get them home. "The Government believe that all members of the public will co-operate wholeheartedly and patriotically and so assist the Dominion in the present emergency period," states one note. "In view of the objects to be served it i» felt by the Government that owners of cars u«ed nolelv for pleasure purposes cannot be granted licenses at the present juncture. Others whose private ears are used for business purposes may assist by applying for quantities, smaller than that which they have been accustomed to obtain in normal times."