REDUCED PETROL ALLOWANCES

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23513, 16 December 1941, Page 8

REDUCED PETROL ALLOWANCES

Instructions To Controllers STATEMENT BY MINISTER (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Dec. 15. In a statement issued to-night, the Minister for Supply Uhe Hon. D. G. Sullivan) amplified the statement he made during the week-end on the serious reductions which have already been put into effect regarding petrol allowances. The Minister staled that in his announcement on Saturday it was made clear that petrol would not be made available until further notice for pleasure purposes, nor for any purpose which could not be regarded as absolutely essential in the public interest. In order that the various classes of persons concerned would have some idea of the new allowances likely to be granted to them, and with a view to preventing applications or appeals being lodged unnecessarily, the Minister stated that he proposed to outline the directions which had been issued for the guidance of local oil fuel controllers in giving effect to the reductions in consumption now required. With regard to public passenger services. the Minister stated that licences in respect of service cars and buses would be reduced by one third, while all licences in respect of rental cars would be cancelled. The new monthly licences for taxis were 75 gallons where a single shift was being worked, or 120 gallons where double shifts were in operation. So far as public goods services were concerned, all licences held by carriers in urban areas, as well as those of operators in rural areas, would be reduced by one third. No alteration would, however, be made meanwhile in respect of operators over fixed routes. Referring to privately operated trucks, as distinct from public poods services, the Minister said that all licences were to be reduced by 50 per cent. Supplies for motor-vehicles engaged in handling deliveries of foodstuffs and essential commodities such as milk, bread, meat, and coal, or concerned with essential public services, such as electricity, gas, and sanitation, would also have to be very substantially reduced. An exception would be made in industries directly connected with the war effort where other means cf transport were not available. With regard to business cars. Mr Sullivan said that all ordinary and special petrol licences were being cancelled, except those held by doctors, veterinary surgeons, ambulances, fire brigades, nurses, the police, and traffic and vehicle inspectors. There would be some exceptions in cases where the business was directly connected with the war effort, and there were no other means of transport available. In the case of ministers of religion, there would be the equivalent of a maximum allowance in the meantime of 10 gallons a month. It had also been decided that licences in respect of local body and Government vehicles should be reduced by one-third, and the same reduction was to be made on licences for the use of petrol other than in motor-vehicles. Appeals against the decisions made in accordance with the above directions might be lodged with local petrol advisory committees. The Minister added that some delay in dealing with appeals would be inevitable, owing to the number which were beixg made. PETROL FOR MILKING MACHINES (P.A.) WELLINGTON. Dec. 15. ‘‘There is a good deal of apprehension about the cut in petrol for milking machines,” said Mr A. P. O’Shea, secretary of the Farmers’ Union, today. He said he had discussed the position with the Oil Fuel Controller.' who had informed him that the cut in milking machine petrol had been made in order to enable a complete check to be made on consumption on farms. He had received assurance from the controller that all petrol required for milking machines would be made available, and Mr O'Shea therefore advised farmers whose allowance for milking machines was inadequate to apply immediately to have their cases reviewed.