PETROL SUPPLY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 153, 29 June 1940, Page 6

PETROL SUPPLY.

CONSERVATION NEED.

APPEAL TO MOTORISTS.

ASSURANCE OF CO-OPERATION.

An assurance of the willingness of (lie (issocifitioii to en-operate wholecarted with the Government in its efforts to conserve the use of petrol, was given by the council of the Automobile Association Auckland), this morning, nff,T it. Imd In-en ;nl(lio--ed I.y the Min-i-tor 'it Transport, the Hon. K. .Semple. The Minister, who arrived from Wellington thi- morning liy the Limited express, u,-n accompanied by Mr. 11. M. Sterling, liaison officer to Mr. Hemple in liis capacity (is .Minister of National Services, ;mrl Mr. (I. L. Laurenson, Oil Fuel ('mil roller. Also in attendance at the meeting was Mr. K. J. Phelan, Xo. 1 Tin import Licensing Authority. After ho ha/1 been introduced by the president of the association, Mr. F. G. Parrel), the Minister said he thought it advisable to discuss with the association f.lio advisability of conserving petrol supplies in view of the restlessness of the world situation. The aim was to save as much petrol as possible in order to permit the running of a satisfactory transport system, ami, above all, to be assured of supplies for defence purposes. Development of Defence System. Tim Minister went on to explain the steps taken to develop the defence system in th 0 Dominion, particularly in the direction of air defences. He spoke of the large amount of work involved and carried out in establishing aerodromes throughout the Dominion, building hangars—some of the largest in the world— erecting facilities for the training of Air Force personnel. He defended the introduction of machines to the various jobs, with the consequent speeding up of*work on aerodromes and the saving of expense in carrying out the work. As a result of the speedy work carried out, added Mr. Semple, 600 young Now Zen landers were in the cockpits of 'planes in England, and giving good accounts of themselves. Had the Dominion not had the aerodromes and services of which h c spoke, she would not have been able to send one pilot overseas when the S.O.S. came. Mr. Semple said that some might say that he could enforce by regulations the conservation of petrol. However, he did not desire to use the big stick or take the place of a dictator. He wanted to talk sensibly to petrol users and enlist their co-operation in saving petrol and crude oil. It was far preferable to have a voluntary effort, and, if they had tha*, there would be no need for drastic action. The Search for Oil. Mr. Semple referred also to the activities of representatives of various oil companies in their search for oil in New Zealand. "The oil is licre all right,'* he added. "There '* no question about it. Whether or not it can be found in payable quantities, however; has yet to be discovered. If it can our troubles are over bo far as imports are concerned." In conclusion, the. . Minister said the situation at the moment was percarious and changing from hour to hour, and the Dominion had to be ready for the worst. There was need to conserve everything, possible, and they could not afford waste f of ,an kind. This was necessary not only in the interests of the people of New Zealand, but to ensure assistance . being given to Great Britain, which was fighting our battles as well as her own. vln reply to Mr. H. J. Butcher the Minister said that action was' being taken right away to prevent a wastage of benzine as a result of passenger and transport road services being permitted to run parallel-with the railways. He referred also to the system of zoning of milk deliveries which had been intro- £ duced in Christchurch and said it was estimated as an outcome of this alone f there would be a saving of 07,000 gallons of petrol a year. He also suggested that the association should follow the f- example of the Christchurch Association and circularise its members asking them to save a gallon of petrol a week. Mr. Farrell explained that an appeal along these lines had already been made in Auckland, but the association would continue' its appeal in its official publication. He thanked the Minister for tho information given the council, particularly as it related to defence. The council was aware that the petrol position was serious, but the Minister could rest assured that he would have ;■■ wholehearted co-operation in his efforts . to conserve supplies. \