TIME INOPPORTUNE

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 134, 3 December 1940, Page 11

TIME INOPPORTUNE

INCREASED PETROL RATION

NATIONAL SAFETY FIRST

EVENTS IN PACIFIC

Unanimous approval was given by the executive of the Automobile Association (Wellington) last night to the proposal of the chairman (Mr. E. A. Batt) that, in view of the changed position in the Pacific owing to enemy activity, the association should make no further move at present to obtain an increase in the petrol ration.

j "This is a burning question at the present time among automobile association members and motorists generally, that- they are unable to purchase all the petrol they require, and par- 1 ticularly for the holiday season," said Mr. Batt. "My own view is this:, there, are very rapid changes taking place in world affairs today, especially in the Pacific, and we have had very striking evidence of that in the past week or two. There are indications of the enemy being practically at our doors with raiders, and my own opinion is that the present is not a time for us to say anything more .about the petrol position while this danger exists in the Pacific. (Hear, hear.) "I hope you will agree with me on this point, because I think it would be unfair to the defence of this country, and against our own interests to do otherwise," Mr. Batt continued. | "Although I feel we have had good \ reason in the past to take up the atti- ( tude we have done with other interests, I feel there is a bigger question at issue today, and that is our verysafety. "I think a position has been arrived at that was not yin existence before where there should be conservation of petrol. I am not prepared personally to advocate that petrol that may be very difficult to bring across the Pacific in the nea? future should be used unnecessarily at the present time." Mr. H. F. Toogood said that he thought the authorities could be relied upon to use their discretion. Mr. Batt: We must co-operate as an important institution, vitally concerned about petrol, certainly, but more vitally concerned in the safety of our country and of the Empire generally. The proposal was adopted without further discussion.