USE OF PETROL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 200, 23 August 1940, Page 9

USE OF PETROL.

INSPECTORS , CHECK.

AUTHORITY QUESTIONED. < WELLINGTON, Thursday. Motorists using the Hutt Road more < or less regularly are being noted by > inspectors and asked by letter from the I sub-distxiet oil fuel controller to explain r the source of their petrol supplies'. The c executive of the Wellington Motor Trade Association decided to bring this to the notice of the oil fuel controller, and to ' aek him to state the authority under j which it was being done. A copy of a letter from the Wellington < sub-district oil fuel controller reading as follows was placed before the meeting:— "I have to advise that on several occasions recently your car, No. , waa observed travelling on the Hutt Road between Lower Butt and Wellington during the hours of 7 a.m. and 0.15 a.m. It would appear, therefore, that the vehicle is being used for the purpose of conveyance between your residence and place of business. I shall be glad, therefore, to be informed whether such is the position and, if so, to be advised as to how sufficient oil fuel is being obtained to enable this running to be done." It wae recalled that a statement had been made officially that the interchange of petrol coupons among motorists was approved, so that one car might do more than the average amount of running tlmt the ration allowed. The opinion that the restrictions were drastic enough in themselves and that there was no need to harass motorists further was expressed. It was the general opinion of the meeting that, if there was to be rationing of petrol, there should be no need for the Government to call for voluntary rationing as well. There should be either conscription or voluntary effort, it was said, for the two did not mix, either in petrol conservation or personal service. The statement on the petrol restrictions issued by the New Zealand Motor Trade Federation was endorsed, and it was decided that the plea of the federation for an easing of the restrictions should be supported. Wellington members of Parliament are to be asked to discuss the position with the association's representatives. —(Press Assn.)

MONTHLY ALLOWANCES.

DESIRE FOR INCREASES.

HASTINGS, Thursday. In an endeavour to obtain increases in the monthly allowances of petrol to all classes of motorists, the Automobiie Association (Hawke's Bay) has resolved , to forward a remit to the annual confer-' ence of the Automobile Association of' New Zealand at Auckland next week emphasising the seriousness of the position and urging that action be taken. It was pointed out that, if New Zealand pooled petrol of first and second grades a great saying could be effected in overhead charges, and some 5,000,000 extra gallons could be stored throughout New Zealand in tanks not being used by service stations. This pooled petrol was no new idea, as it had been in effect in England since the beginning of the war, with an t-normoua saving for war purposes and a more fair distribution to motorists. It would mean simply that each service station would have two pumps, of first and second grade, and other underground tanks could be used for storage. This, it was considered, should obviate any possible necessity for stringent restriction.—'(Press Assn.)

EFFECT. ON PRODUCTION.

CONCERN IS EXPRESSED.

WELLINGTON, Thursday. Concern at the effect on the industrial life of the community of the recent further reductions in petrol allocations for commercial purposes was: expressed at the monthly meeting of the councilof the Wellington Manufacturers' Association. A sub-committee was' appointed' to collaborate with the New Zealand Manufacturers' Federation in an approach to the Government for immediate relief from the present restrictions. Members : considered that these, if maintained, would inevitably result in decreased production from manufacturing units.—(Press Assn.)