PETROL ISSUE FOR SOLDIERS

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23445, 27 September 1941, Page 10

PETROL ISSUE FOR SOLDIERS

Inconsistencies Alleged GREATER LIBERALITY URGED Inconsistencies in the handling of soldiers' applications for petrol licences when on final leave were alleged by Otago representatives at the annual meeting of the South Island Motor Union yesterday. Members urged that soldiers on final leave should bo treated more liberally. Soldiers due to go overseas, applying for licences for petrol in Otago, were refused them unless they could give a special reason, said Mr P. W. Breen. In England, he was,told, any soldier had only to produce his leave pass to get petrol for 300 miles at any time. The least that could be done tor men going overseas was to provide them with 10 gallons to run round with, no matter what the circumstances were. If the Government removed anomalies and inconsistencies it would have less criticism. “The Minister says soldiers are treated the same all over New Zealand,” Mr Breen added. “We have evidence that that is not so.” Official instructions had been sent to oil fuel controllers in each centre for dealing with the issue of petrol to soldiers on leave, said Mr P. F, Harre (Otago), These said petrol could be allowed only if there was proof of urgency, if details of the journey were given, and if there were no other means of transport. “Personally. I think that’s a disgrace,” said Mr Harre. “While these regulations are rigidly enforced in Dunedin, and no petrol is allowed unless a man can prove such an emergency as that his wife is ill, or that he is getting married, the position is not the same in other centres. I would ask Mr Sullivan to note (hat. “On August 18, in Christchurch, a licence for 10 gallons was issued to a soldier on final leave. No car was named on the licence, and no purpose for its use was stated. It was used with two or three cars, twice in Christchurch and once in Dunedin. When the case was put to the Controller he replied that licences must bo issued in accordance with the regulations. Laxity Blamed "My position is that I know there is inconsistency in commercial licences, and now we have proof of inconsistency with the soldiers. I am not blaming officials in Dunedin for observing the regulations, but I am blaming the laxity in other centres.” Mr G. W. Ferens (Otago) said a naval officer told him that the ship’s secretary was informed, on arrival in New Zealand, that on production of their leave tickets, officers and other ranks could get up to 10 gallons of petrol. On this some of the officers got 10 cnllons in Auckland and Wellington. His informant applied in Dunedin and his application was rejected. “We want a straight answer to this, with no beating about the bush,” Mr Ferens added. Mr W. R. Carey said he was a member of the local Oil Fuel Advisory Committee. The lack of information about what was done in other centres placed the committee at a disadvantage. Application to Wellington brought no satisfaction, “It seems that the rule is: ‘Do what you can when you can,’ ’’ he added. The members are there to carry out instructions, but can get no guidance as to the principles on which other committees are acting in the same circumstances.” Mr Ferens said that in Dunedin licences for petrol for the troops were issued not by the committee but by officials of the department. Mr G. Lawrence (North Island Motor Union) said that many applicants were refused at the post office counter. It was only when applicants had sufficient knowledge to insist on their application going before the committees that the committees ever saw them. It was decided, on the motion of Mr Ferens, to suggest to ihc Minister for Supply that steps be taken to coordinate the policy of all oil fuel advisory committees.