PETROL AFTER HOURS

Evening Star, Issue 23836, 17 March 1941, Page 12

PETROL AFTER HOURS

AN APPEAL TO MOTORISTS m it Details ot the scheme for siipplylfig petrol to motorists after hours were discussed at a .conference called by the Labour Department in Wellington recently, when it was stated that the chief obstacle to the smooth working of the scheme was the failure of drivers to obtain supplies in the ordinary hours of trading with consequent unreasonable demand on the stall and equipment of the aftor-hours service stations. This attitude towards the after-hours service stations meant long queues, congestion, and delay to motorists whoso petrol needs were legitimately urgent.

It was stated that there were instances of some individuals requesting petrol in single gallon quantities three times on the same Sunday, and there was other evidence of abuse of the convenience represented in the availability of supplies after hours. An appeal for the co-operation of motorists is made by Mr J. H. Md in Hudson, president of the North Island (N.Z.) Motor Union, Mr W. U. Carey, president of the South Island (X. Z.' Motor Union, and Mr C. 11. Edmond, president of the Now Zealand Motor Trade Federation, Queues can he avoided, time can be saved, and irritation. need not be caused if motorisi s act reasonably:

1. By planning their petrol purchases to meet their anticipated needs, and by buying a sufficient quantity to justify the service, and place reliance on after hours supplies beyond doubt. 2. By making a set habit of purchas ing supplies in the ordinary hours of trading. The most effective way to call irksome restrictions into force is by thoughtless abuse of privileges or services already enjoyed, and the best possible means of self-help open to the motorists is a strict and dutiful application of the reasonable rules embodied in this appeal. In other words, the motorist is asked to buy his petrol in normal trading hours.