REASSURED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 219, 16 September 1939, Page 6

REASSURED.

MOTORING PUBLIC.

PETROL SUPPLY POSITION.

MINISTER DISPELS RUMOURS. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. "In view of certain rumours that are current, I feel it desirable, in the interests of the welfare of the many thousands of our citizens engaged in the motor trade, that I should make it quite clear that the petrol restrictions have been imposed solely in the interests of national security, and not, as has been suggested, because of sterling, or indeed any other considerations."

This statement was made to-day by the Minister of Supply, the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, who gave an assurance that the restrictions would be eased as soon as possible without jeopardising the reserve necessary for the purposes of national security and defence.

"The sole aim of the Government has been to conserve supplies and build up a reserve sufficient to enable us to carry on essential services in the event of our supplies being cut off or restricted," he said. "No other aspect has been tak<>n into consideration.

"It is my earnest desire to keep the motoring public supplied as far as possible with their normal requirements, and ultimately, if national security permits, to allow petrol • for private cars without restriction. The relaxation of the restrictions recently made, when an allowance of ten gallons a month was authorised for private cars, was based upon the same considerations.

"I am happy to say that the present position is reassuring. The public and the motor trade may rest assured that the restrictions will be eased as soon as possible without jeopardising the re serve necessary for purposes of national security and defence.

"In the meantime, the public would serve the national interests in the present emergency by discounting the variety of rumours in circulation at the present time."