PETROL SUPPLY

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 201, 25 August 1945, Page 6

PETROL SUPPLY

INQUIRY OVERSEAS

SMALL LICENCES RESTORED Parliamentary Reporter. WELLINGTON, this day. Restoration of the small petrol license was announced by the Minister of Supply, Mr. Sullivan, to-day. Arrangements have been made for this to apply as from September 1.

The Minister said that his attention had been drawn to the Press reports of the meeting of the executive of the South Island Motor Union, held in Christchurch recently, in which reference was made to petrol rationing "I note the desire of the union to have the petrol restriction removed as soon as possible, said Mr. Sullivan, "and I would like to say that we are. at this moment, in touch with the supply authorities overseas to see just to what extent we can relax petrol rationing.

"It is the Government's desire to lift the restrictions just as soon as possible, but the latest cabled advice from the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs emphasises that there are heavy oil fuel obligations, especially in relation to liberated areas and the maintenance of the armies of occupation.

"In regard to the small petrol licenses which were recently cancelled, now that Britain has further increased the allowance to private motorists, I have instructed the Oil Fuel Controller that the small licenses are to be restored as from September 1, and arrangements have been made accordingly.

"Until the position has been finalised with Great Britain the private motorists' allowance must necessarily remain at double face value of coupons."

The Minister concluded with a note of warning to the public that the rubber and tyre position remained acute, and that the prospects ot replacement for non-essential purposes was most uncertain and probably remote. He urged motorists to keep that fact in mind.