NO NEW TYRES FOR FARMERS

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23943, 10 May 1943, Page 4

NO NEW TYRES FOR FARMERS

WARNING GIVEN AT GERALDINE

fO.R.) GERALDINE, May 9. ‘‘Farmers would be well advised to take special care of their tyres and to have them retreaded before they go too far,” said Mr A. B. Struthers, secretary of the South Canterbury executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, at the annual meeting of the Geraldine branch. “The tyre position is very serious," he added, “and there are no new tyres for farmers. If tyres are allowed to go too far farmers will have no alternative but to put their cars up in their garages."

In a recent letter the Commissioner of Supply in Wellington had advised the union that the Minister of Supply had referred to him numerous requests from farmers throughout New Zealand for tyres, tubes, and retreads. As the district quotas for both new and retread tyres were insufficient to meet the demand for those users who qualified under the eligibility list, it had not been possible to fulfil even the most deserving cases in respect of the farming community. The letter continued:—

"The new passenger car tyre position in New Zealand is, to say the least, serious, in so much as it is not known whether further supplies will be coming forward. Therefore, it is necessary to rigidly conserve new tyres in the hands of importers, resellers, and users for those users who qualify under the eligibility list. “I fully appreciate the difficulties under which some farmers are carrying on production, and consequently District Oil Fuel Controllers have been advised to set aside a substantial portion of the district quota for ‘B’ grade retreads for the most deserving cases where no means of transport are available. With a maximum amount of care most tyres are suitable for retreading, so it is. therefore, the responsibility of each farmer to look after his present tyres in order that they may be suitable for retreading.

“In addition I would point out that farmers are entitled to second-hand tyres. In this case it is necessary for them first to locate the tyre and then apply for a permit to fit. I can assure you that no difficulty will be encountered in securing the necessary permit once the tyre is located. There seems to be little or no hope of new tyres being made available for the reason already stated.”

“The difficulty is in locating the second-hand tyres,” said Mr Strothers. “The job is practically impossible.” Mr P. G. Withers: Has consideration been given to .taking tyres from people who are just running around for pleasure?

Mr Strothers: If the Farmers’ Union feels that something should be done along those lines it could be taken up.

Mr Withers: It looks also as if the man who has bought a trap to conserve petrol and tyres will be penalised, Retreads are not available if there are other modes of transport. Mr Struthcrs: It depends on the distance from town and the size of the property. In reply to Mr R. E. Mdhvrick. Mr Struthers said that tractor tyres were high up on the eligibility list and were available.