CORRESPONDENCE

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIII, Issue 42, 19 February 1942, Page 6

CORRESPONDENCE

CONSERVING PETROL

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —As a member of the Automobile Association, I write to protest against the statement submitted by Messrs. Edmundson and Carey to the Prime Minister and published in your issue of the 16th inst. At a time like the present, to be worrying the Government for more petrol, when we are reading daily of the progressive destruction of one source of supply after another, is futile. The arguments they use have little relation to realities, and their statement that private cars can run in Great Britain up to 150 miles per month is contrary to fact, as is shown by the cable from London appearing in the same issue of "The Post." As for keeping private cars in order against emergency, it is to be hoped that when the emergency which they visualise arises, all private cars will be kept off the roads to prevent their being cluttered up when they will be required for the rapid movements of troops. Those responsible for the defence of New Zealand no doubt are well aware of all the reasons put forward to support the plea for more petrol, but there is much more at stake than even the possible deterioration of cars through disuse. I own a good car, but if putting it into the discard for good will help to conserve petrol to enable us to do the essential things in this crisis, it can go there and without too many regrets. I feel sure that Messrs. Edmundson and Carey do not speak for the bulk (. L the members of the Motor Unions.— I am, etc.,

RCvBT. HENSHAW. 261 Tinakori Road, Wellington.