The Bay of Plenty Times WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1948 CUTS IN PETROL SUPPLIES

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXXVI, Issue 14587, 4 February 1948, Page 2

The Bay of Plenty Times WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1948 CUTS IN PETROL SUPPLIES

The need for a more equitable distribution of the available supplies of petrol is growing, and unless the general situation improves, it is likely that there will be increased pressure, if not tor reselling by the State, then certainly for a return to the couponrationing method of control. When the cuts in the allocation ot petrel supplies to resellers were first imposed, as one of the ways in which New Zealand could help the Aid to Britain campaign, a heavy responsibility was placed on resellers', and with further cuts to be made, the difficulties at present being experienced by resellers will become even srreater The suggested return to the war-time system of petrol rationing would probably be the most satisfactory way of bringing about a more even distribution, but this course would no doubt call for the provision of an extensive and elaborate system of control to meet what, it is hoped, will be a temporary emergency. If the present restriction on the use of petrol is only temporary then there is little doubt that the better course to adopt in effecting the necessary saving in petrol is one on a voluntary basis and in a spirit ot co-operation. The Minister of Supply, Mr Nordmeyer, at the time the present rationing system was introduced, stated that if it failed, compulsory rationing would be introduced. The reduction of petrol consumption is one of the means of saving dollars and with aid for Britain so close to our hearts and so important to New Zealand's future a return to wartime control is an eventuality which must be faced and, if it proves necessary, should be accepted in the right spirit. While the complaints of motorists have been numerous, the majoritv of resellers of petrol have done their best in answer to an extremely difficult situation and the thanks of the authorities and motorists generally arc undoubtedly their due. It must be realised by all consumers that whatever sacrifices are necessary to meet the present emergency they must be borne equally.