PETROL RATION

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23177, 14 November 1940, Page 6

PETROL RATION

JULY AMOUNT MAY BE RESTORED REPORT ON DEPUTATIONS TO MINISTERS (press associatiw tei.egium.) AUCKLAND, November 13. The possibility of an additional allowance of- petrol for private motoring In December and January, increasing the rationing scale to that operating , before the reduction made last July, was referred to by the president (Mr F. G. Farrell) at a meeting of the Automobile Association (Auckland). “We may get the ration restored to the former level, but we can hope for no more,” he said. Mr Farrell reported that representatives of the North Island and South Island Motor Unions recently l?ad separate interviews with the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser), the Minister for Supply (the Hon. D. G. Sullivan), and the Minister for Transport (the Hon. R. Semple). “After the deputations wc felt pretty certain that an increase in the present allocation would be made, but not more than the amount we were receiving before July.” said Mr Farrell. "When Mr Nash came to Auckland he threw a spanner into the works, and since then nothing further has been heard.

“We did not expect that if the restoration were made it would come immediately.” Mr Farrell continued. “I still feel that if the matter goes before the Cabinet there will be more supporters for an increase in the ration than there were fit a previous Cabinet meeting when. I understand, it was practically unanimously turned down.” . Mr Farrell added that if any adjustment were made next month it would cover December and January. The unions were not prepared to accept Mr Nash's statement that there would be no increase in the ration, and if no restoration were made, they would continue to fight the case. Mr A. Gravson, who was also a member of the deputations to the Ministers, said the results were rather favourable. It was felt that motorists could expect to have the extra half coupon a month restored.