BRITISH DECISION ON PETROL

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26125, 30 May 1950, Page 5

BRITISH DECISION ON PETROL

NO PRIOR ADVICE TO MR HOLLAND EXPLANATION BY LORD MACDONALD (New Zealand Press Association) _ AUCKLAND, Maj' 29 «-,>h C ?b 3e “ s ? nethin B went wrong 'Vj\J he between BritaiS Ze ? lal ¥)- the Prime Minister Mr Holland) did not receive prior advice of the intention of the British Government to abolish petrol rationing. This was announced bv Lord Macdona.d, leader of the United Kir«*aom delegation to the recent Commonwealth conference at Sydnev, at a State luncheon in his honour to-day Lord Macdonald said he had seen a reference at the week-end to the rationing of petrol and had also seen a reference that Mr Holland had made in which he said he had heard of the British decision for the first time through the press. “I was at a loss to understand that.” Lord Macdonald said. He knew that New Zealand had stood firmly by Britain on the petrol rationing issue and he could not believe that some effort had not been made to acquaint Mr Holland of the ncsition before the announcement in the House of Commons.

“I awaited some explanation,” he said. “I was afraid the message might come too late for this luncheon, but it came. Mr Holland and I are the best of pals,” he added amid laughter. An attempt was made to convey the news to Mr Holland, but it was not always easy to arrange the timing of announcements. It was decided that New Zealand should be informed so that the Prime Minister could know before the matter was published. He was now inforrfied that something went wrong with the machinery ber tween Great Britain and New Zealand and that was the reason why Mr Holland had not been advised as had been intended.

He had no doubt that it had been difficult for the Prime Minister to withstand the pressure brought by various interests for New Zealand to follow Australia in abolishing petrol rationing and he was anxious that all should know that the British Government intended and did all it could to see that the Prime Minister knew of the decision in Britain before the press announcement. Lord Macdonald added that he had '’xnlained this to Mr Holland who “like the fine gentleman he is.” had accepted it.