DANISH PETROL SUPPLIES

Greymouth Evening Star, 16 April 1940, Page 8

DANISH PETROL SUPPLIES

SMALL AMOUNT FOR GERMANY

[BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS.]

RUGBY, April 15

In speculation on the motives inspiring Germany’s invasion of Denmark and Norway, stress has been laid in some quarters on what Avere stated to be the augmented stores of petrol in Denmark, as Avell as Danish food supplies.

Authorities in fuel questions in Britain are not inclined to place very high Germany’s gains in petrol. The total supplies available in Denmark are put by one writer at 200,000 'tons, equal only to a fortnight’s German peace-time consumption. If this figure is compared with the generally-ac-cepted estimate that, in the Polish campaigns the Germans used 2,500,000 tons of petrol in three weeks, it is seen to represent a very minor addition to the resources of the aggressor. and it should be remembered, also, that if Germany seized the whole of this, Danish agriculture would be deprived of motor power, and would be unable to supply Germany. Moreover, to come by this small store, Germany has been involved in a campaign which is' costing heavy expenditure in petrol. Incidentally, Germany is reported to be experiencing great difficulty in obtaining Roumanian oil, owing to the flooding of the Danube. BRITAIN’S FOOD STORES. RUGBY April 15. Although there is no possibility, in view of the inevitable restrictions of shipping, of being able to Replace up to 100 per cent, of the food supplies lost to Britain as a result of the German advance in the north, and particularly the ocupation of Denmark, the Food Ministry is confident that there will be ample supplies of butter, bacon, and eggs coming to these shores, which, with home production, will keep the services and civilians in full health, and vigour. The present large stores of these commodities in this country were due to the fact that, from the outbreak of the war, it was • obvious that supplies from Denmark and the Baltic could not be relied upon indefinitely. It is problematical whether the present rations of butter and bacon will be continued, but it is impossible to forecast when a revision is likely, as the Food Ministry has been favourably impressed by the regularity with which, large supplies from distant sources have been arriving. ' The margarine situation has greatly improved since the butter ration was doubled, and the Ministry has been able to build up working reserves in the past few weeks.

ROUMANIAN ACTION

(Recd. April 16, 1.40 p.m.). BUCHAREST, April 15

A decree prohibiting all exports rat petroleum, coal, and wood cuts off Germany’s main source of supplies from the south-east. The Government Economic Council has .annulled all wheat contracts until further notice, owing to a. prospective crop failure. Foreign deliveries' of petroleum, coal, and wood are halted until adequate reserves are assured for the army and the railways.