Petrol Restrictions

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 239, 4 July 1940, Page 11

Petrol Restrictions

Sir.—Although every reasonable person will agree that, the conservation of petrol is vitally necessary, I do ask the .Minister to give a thought to commercial travellers who have to use cars for their livelihood. A short time ago, hundreds of travellers lost their positions because of “import selection.” This nice-sounding term really spelt (in many instances) the complete elimination of imports, thus ruin and unemployment naturally followed. Now we again face unemployment, because of the hard curtailment of supplies. Forty-five gallons a month is too short a ration to permit of much travelling, and I would urge upon the Minister to give careful .consideration to our economic position. He will realize that the absence of “imported” goods has helped our “local” industries, but unless displayed and sold, it will be of little use our manufacturers making these goods. This work falls to the traveller; it is he who really maintains factory production, hence the need for the Minister’s serious consideration. Many goods manufactured in New Zealand " are subject to excise duties, and today I met one traveller whose work results in anything up to £5OO a week reverting to the State in the form of this tax. Such men are worth considering, even if private car users have to forgo one gallon of petrol monthly.—l am, etc., C.T. Palmerston. Novt.b. Jivta a.