PETROL SHORT

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 140, 15 June 1944, Page 6

PETROL SHORT

SERIOUS POSITION

NEED FOR TIGHTENING UP Tiic seriousness of the petrol position in New Zealand was emphasised by the secretary, Mr. A. R. Donaldson, at the monthly meeting of the Wanganui District Council of Primary Production, states a Wanganui message. Mr. Donaldson, who is also a member of the Wanganiii Oil Fuel Advisory Committee, said reserve stocks of petrol in New Zealand were being reduced considerably because of the tankers being diverted elsewhere. He believed that if the true position were made known the authorities would have 100 per cent, backing from the public. "The position is very serious, and it is quite uncertain when the next supplies will come to hand," Mr. Donaldson added. Oil fuel controllers in Wanganui and elsewhere were reviewing all business and private car licences with a view to making reductions where possible. At present petrol supplied to farmers was not being cut, but the Oil Fuel Advisory Committee was aware of abuses in certain cases —for example, a petrol licence might be granted for a tractor and the fuel so obtained used for other purposes. Primary production councils were now being asked to report' on applications made by farmers for petrol licences, said Mr. Donaldson. But whether this scheme would operate successfully was another matter. Awkward positions might arise, particularly in the case of a member of the council doing this work voluntarily having to report on a neighbour. "It is hardly fair to; ask • a man to do that," Mr. Donaldson added.

The regulations were emphatic that something must be done to prevent wastage of petrol. "This must be done urgently, and many people are going to feel hurt, but there is no other way out," he said. "Primary producers will be the last to be touched, but they are being urged not to waste petrol. It will also mean that representatives on the Farmers' Union and other organisations will not'be able to obtain petrol to attend meetings, and a business man who has a petrol licence for business purposes will not be able to take his car home at night."