DOMINION’S PETROL SUPPLIES

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 291, 4 September 1937, Page 10

DOMINION’S PETROL SUPPLIES

Mr. Savage Amplifies

Statement NO SECRET INFORMATION By Telegraph—Press Association. Christchurch, September 3. An assurance'that lie had no secret information that was not available to Mie rest of the community was given by the Prime Minister, lit. Hon. M. J. Savage, to-day, when lie was asked if lie would amplify the following statement he made yesterday in replying, to a deputation regarding the construction of a tunnel road between Christchurch and t-he port:—

As regards the railways, I might say that possibly much sooner than you think our petrol supplies may be cut off and we shall have to rely on the railways, for which we have coal in abundance. I have a shrewd suspicion that it might happen much sooner than anyoii? thinks. For our defence, if for nothing else, we cannot let: the railways rust. "What I meant wits that we might find ourselves in a state of war,” i/id .Mr. Savage. “We can’t afford to ignore what is happening in Europe today. Our petrol supplies come from overseas, and obviously they would not be so great if we became involved in war. As Miey are under present conditions wc can’t take anything for granted. ‘‘We have our own coal supplies and a railway system providing a substantial measure of transport. That is not to say that motor transport should not be developed. However, I don’t know anything except what others know, anil I would like that, made clear, but anyone who reads the cables must realise that the position at the moment is not a garden of roses.”