CONCERN EXPRESSED

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 282, 23 August 1940, Page 8

CONCERN EXPRESSED

Reductions In Petrol

Allocations

EFFECT ON INDUSTRY

Concern at the effect on the industrial life of the community of the recent further reductions in petrol allocations for commercial purposes was expressed ttt the monthly meeting of the council of the Wellington -Manufacturers’ Association. Numerous instances were cited of the crippling effect of the restrictions on the activities of manufacturers, many of whom were substantially dependent on mobile transport for the conduct of their business. This fact did not appear to 'be fully realized by the licensing authorities, it wa's stated. A sub-committee was appointed to collaborate, with the New Zealand Manufacturers’ Federation in Lite approach to the Government for immediate relief from the present drastic restrictions. Members considered that these, if maintained, would inevitably result in decreased production from manufacturing units. POOLING OF PETROL SUGGESTED Saving’ Storage Space Dominion Special Service. HASTINGS, August 22. In an endeavour to obtain increases in the monthly allowances of petrol to all classes of motorists, the Automobile Association (Hawke's Bay) has resolved to forward, a remit to the annual conference of the Automobile Association of New Zealand in Auckland next week emphasizing the seriousness of the position an'd urging that action be taken. It was stated that if New Zealand pooled petrol of first and second grades, a great saving could be effected in overhead charges, and some 5,000,000 extra gallons could be stored throughout New Zealand in tanks not being used by service stations. This pooled petrol was no new or novel idea, as it had been in effect in England since th ebeginning of the war, with an enormous saving for war purposes, and a more fair distribution to motorists. It would mean that each service station would have two pumps, of first and second grade, and other underground tanks could be used for storage. This, it was considered, should obviate the necessity for any stringent restrictions.

Emphasis was placed on the unreasonableness of the present price of petrol in Hawke’s Bay in view of the fact that Napier was now a main distributing centre and a central tanker port:.