PETROL SUPPLIES

Greymouth Evening Star, 30 May 1946, Page 3

PETROL SUPPLIES

POSITION NOW CONSIDERED SATISFACTORY VIEWS OFMOTORISTS (P.A.) PALMERSTON N., May 29. Petrol supplies and the abolition of coupons were discussed at the quarterly meeting of the North Island Motor Union. The president, Mr R. W. Roydhouse, said his interpretation was that every motorist would receive all the petrol he required. Figures released by the Minister of Supply supported his contention. Now that there was 800,000 gallons more a month, his opinion was that the petrol position would not be sufficiently bad to warrant any suggestion of a black piarket. Referring to -the statement by Mr E. A. Batt, chairman of the Automobile Association, Wellington, Mr Roydhouse said Mr Batt knew that motor unions were making representations. As soon as the union’s request was acceded to he made a statement. Mr Batt had no right to make a. statement on behalf of the Motor Union.

Mr F. G. Farrell (Auckland) quoted the Commissioner of Transport as saying that the total amount of petrol now available would be 95,000,000 gallons annually. Peak consumption in 1938 was 108,000,000 gallons. The new supplies should be sufficient, added Mr Farrell, to take care of present requirements, provided motorists used it intelligently. There was no reason for hoarding. The union carried a resolution expressing appreciation' of the extent to which the Minister of Supply had complied with the union’s request to remove ■ petrol restrictions, hoping that in the very near future all restrictions would be lifted, and expressing the opinon that petrol now released would prove ample for the present requirements of all motorists. The delegate from the South Island Motor Union asked that his union be associated with the resolution, adding that his union was satisfied that there should be no cause for worry by any motorists. The position was now quite satisfactory.