CONSUMPTION OF PETROL

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23052, 21 June 1940, Page 8

CONSUMPTION OF PETROL

REDUCTION MUST RE i MADE VOLUNTARY CURTAILMENT SOUGHT [From Our Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON, June 20. The necessity for an immediate reduction in the consumption of petrol was emphasised by the Minister for Supply (the Hon. D. G. Sullivan) in an interview this evening. He indicated that unless petrol users did thisi of their own volition, further rationing was inevitable. i. “There is no need for me to tell the average New Zealander about the gravity of the international situation,” said Mr Sullivan. “Our petrol has to be brought from overseas a distance of at least 3000 miles. Oil fuel is so vital to our defence and co our national production that the Government would be failing in its duty if it did not protect the existing reserves. This can only be done if all private car owners and commercial users restrict their consumption to the barest minimum. “I do not wish to reduce the present rations,” said the Minister, “but we definitely must restrict consumption further, and that, at once. I make an earnest appeal to all petrol users to make it their patriotic duty not to use a drop more petrol than is absolutely essential. ; Otherwise there willbe further rationing.” ROAD SERVICES SUSPENDED ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORT AVAILABLE (press association telegram.) WELLINGTON, June 20. The Minister for Transport (the Hon. R. Semple) announced to-night that where alternative freight services by rail for distances over 30 miles were available, together with the linked up services provided by area operators, he found it undesirable in the public interest to authorise the continued operation of any of these long distance petrol consuming services. They therefore were suspended until further notice. , , Ancillary services operated by firms and individuals for the carriage of their own goods were also being suspended until further notice as alternative transport could be provided by public services. The Minister said decisions on appeals lodged against decisions of trans. port licensing authorities would be issued this week. One of the considerations taken into account by him when deciding recent appeals had been the effect; on the Dominion’s supplies of petrol.