USE OF PETROL

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 181, 29 April 1941, Page 6

USE OF PETROL

Conference Urges Further

Reduction

VALUE OF TRANSPORT IN DEFENCE

The opinion that a further reduction in petrol consumption will be of real assistance to the Empire in the prosecution of the war is expressed in a statement made by the representatives who attended a conference convened by the Minister of Supply,. Mr. Sullivan, to discuss the petrol position. The Minister said yesterday that those present were the Oil Fuel Controller and representatives of the following groups: The New Zealand Employers’ Federation, the Associated Chambers of Commerce, the New Zea land Farmers’ Union, the New Zealand transport industry, the North and South Island Motor Unions, the New Zealand Motor Trade Federation, the New Zealand Manufacturers’ Federation, the Drivers’ Federation, and the Engineers’ and Motor Mechanics Union. After the representatives had considered the whole matter in the light of the confidential information placed before them by the controller, they unanimously issued the following statement: —

“After a full discussion with the Oil Fuel Controller and a study of the whole of the petrol situation, we are unanimously of the opinion that a further reduction in petrol consumption will be of real assistance to the Empire in the prosecution of the war. New Zealand’s fleet of motor vehicles has, however, a definite value for defence purposes and transport in the event of national emergency, and we are of the opinion that, in the meantime, sufficient petrol should be made available to keep these vehicles on the road. We are also of the opinion that after providing for essential services in transport and industry, everything possible should be done by the elimination of waste and unnecessary duplication to reduce petrol consumption to the greatest possible extent consistent with efficiency.” The statement is signed by B. Sutherland, president, N.Z. Employers’ Federation; G. Fraser, president, Associated Chambers of Commerce; A. P. O’Shea, secretary, N.Z. Farmers’ Union; H. J. Knight, representing public road transport; W. R. Carey, president, South Island Motor Union, acting also on behalf of the North Island Motor Union; C. R. Edmond, president, N.Z. Motor Trade Federation; I. Mathieson, vice-president, N.Z. Manufacturers’ Federation; F. C. Allerby, secretary, N.Z. Drivers’ Federation; A. Black, secretary, Engineers’ and Motor Mechanics’ Union.