SAVING PETROL

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 17, 19 July 1940, Page 9

SAVING PETROL

APPEAL TO CARRIERS

CASE FOR CO-OPERATION

Confidence that thousands of gallons could be saved every year by common sense, co-operation, and co-ordination to prevent overlapping and wasteful running was expressed by the Minister of Transport (the Hon. R. Semple) to representatives of carriers who waited on him yesterday. In a subsequent interview the Mhl--ister said that all that he had done was to appeal to the transport people to put their own house in order. He had informed the deputation that he had amended the Transport Act to set up advisory councils, with direct representatives of the transport organisations, to review the system and to make recommendations for reorganisation. "I asked them to do the job themselves with their own direct representatives," said Mr. Semple. "I did not want to assume the role of a dictator and I have never attempted to do so. I have taken the official representatives into my confidence. Good will is more than ever necessary now, and I have tried my best to give them a lead." From the officers and ihe organisations, the greatest co-operation had been obtained, said the Minister, offers having been made to place all services at the Government's use for war purposes. But some 'of the individual carriers were obstructionists. He was not accusing all the city carriers of the underhand methods adopted in Auckland. „ "The organisations have repudiated the individuals," said Mr. Semple. "Their conduct is harmful to the organisations as well as to the country. I have only to express my appreciation that the carriers as a whole were not guilty of the mean tactics adopted of stabbing me in the back after I had given them the opportunity to speak candidly. lam more than convinced in my own mind that savings can be made." »

Later in the day Mr. Semple discussed petrol conservation with a large deputation of country carriers. He commented afterwards that he was delighted with the good will and the desire to co-operate. The country carriers had already done much to save petrol and were prepared to go further.