PETROL RESTRICTIONS RE-IMPOSED

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 101, 23 January 1940, Page 6

PETROL RESTRICTIONS RE-IMPOSED

The announcement of the Government’s intention to re-impose restrictions on the use of petrol as from February 1 next is not unexpected. A hint of this was given by the Minister of Industries and Commerce, Mr. Sullivan, in a statement before the Christmas holidays. The previous rationing of supplies, he explains, was to conserve stocks against possible interruption of shipments due to wai conditions. The new restrictions are being imposed as the result of consultations between the British and New Zealand Governments, the nature of which the Minister is not in l a position to make public. It may be taken for granted that the reasons for this step, the object of which is to effect a reduction of approximately 30 per cent, in the Dominion’s normal consumption of petrol, are strong and compelling, and it is the duty of the citizens of this country to meet the requirements of the British Government in a co-operative and helpful spirit. Rationing on the scale announced, eight gallons per month for small private cars, and 12 gallons for large cars, is bound to have an adverse effect on the motor industries and business generally, and on employment. This, says Mr. Sullivan, is fully recognized by the Government, which has worked out a system of rationing designed, while ensuring the desired reduction, to maintain all essential services and national production, and to ameliorate, as far as possible, hardship and unemployment among those affected. Inconveniences and hardships in wartime arc inevitable, but this country so far has escaped very lightly indeed. The sacrifice now asked of its citizens in regard to their consumption of petrol will be prolonged for an indefinite period, to be determined only by the nature of external circumstances. It should bring home to the New Zealand people generally the possibility that greater sacrifices may be in store for them in the future. The situation must be faced in a realistic and co-operative spirit. All must be prepared to pull, their weight in order that the nation will be able to put forward its maximum effort.