40 M.P. WEEK

Grey River Argus, 3 August 1940, Page 12

40 M.P. WEEK

Australian Cars DRASTIC PETROL CUTS. WELLINGTON, August 2. Private motorists will be limited to a mileage of 40 a week under the petrol rationing scheme, details or which were announced by the Australian Trade Commissioner here, and which, it is believed, will fome into operation on September 1. For private vehicles the annual' mileage range is 2,000 miles, and for commercial vehicles, from 2,500 to 15,000 miles. The scales that have been adopted will be subject to adjustment in the light of experience, or if there is any alteration in the oversea situation.

To allocate rationing scales, roaa vehicles have been divided into two categories—private cars and commercial vehicles under 30 cwt. capacity, and commercial vehicles of 30 cwt. capacity and more. Each of these categories has been further sutr divided according to the type of use to which the venicle is put, and the ration is al.otted accordingly. Rationing scales have been fixed with th e intention of allowing each class of vehicle equivalent mileage.

Private cars and vehicles under 3u cwt. capacity have been divided int» the following five classes, according to their use: (1) Private; (2), 50 per cent business use and under; (3) ove. 50 per cent business use; (4) business wholly; (5) special business. Motor cycles will be rationed as for cars up to 8 horse-pov/er. Th e allowance for private vehicles used in business will not cover travelling between residence and place oi business. Following the British system, such- travelling will form part of the uses of the basic ration.

Th e special business classification will be approved only in cases where large mileages are run in the orditrary course of business. Thi s classification will apply to a limited class of users whose business carries them into outback areas, and, who at present average between 25,000 and 30,000 miles a year. For commercial vehicles (30 cwt. capacity and more) seven classifications have been made with varying rations, according to capacity within the ciass. The classes are: Farm vehicle s (2,500 miles a year). Farm vehicles where special consideration exists to justify the extra quantity (3,500 miles). Suburban retail delivery; country users carrying their own goods; retail delivery, in country (5,000 miles). Urban retail delivery; urban users carrying their own ~ goods —wholesalers, factories, etc. (7,500 miles). Hire and award carriers, city and country; tippingtrucks, sand metal, etc. (9,0Q0 miles). Heavy hire and award carriers, special carrying, etc. (12,000 miles;. Cases not elsewhere included, for special consideration, the necessity for which must be established to the satisfaction of the State transport authority (15,000 miles). Special classes within the commercial category will be rationed in such a manner as will enabl e them to fulfil their legitimate functions. These will include: Farm machinery, roanmaking machines, and stationary engines, launches for carriage of goods, or persons on business, and those used by professional fishermen supplying fish to markets, and proiissional fishermen taking out pleasure parties ■ i