TRACTOR TYRES

Grey River Argus, 23 May 1944, Page 4

TRACTOR TYRES

MINISTER’S EXPLANATION OF POSITION. APPEAL TO ROAD USERS ALSO. P.A. WELLINGTON, May 22, _ A close investigation into the P 0 / 1 ' tion of tractor tyres had been made by the Government within the last few months, said the Minister of Supply and Munitions (Hon. D. G Sul 11 " van) in a statement to-night, xhis had been done as a result of inquiries about conversion of tractors at present on steel wheels to pneumaticequipment. It was realised, of course, that in general there were advantages in making the change, but inquiry had disclosed that New Zealand was particularly fortunate to receive e tractor tyres coming forward at present. Such tyres covered replacements only, so that no provision could be made for tyres required lor conversion. In the circumstances, said the Minister, he thought it desirable to draw the attention of tractor operators and tractor selling firms to the fact that conversion could not take place. Mr. Sullivan also referred to the difficulties of tyre production LUS year throughout the United Nations, adding that advice had been received from the Office of War Information of the United States to the effect that on the present analysis of supply ant. requirements there would be a shortage in meeting all the stated requirements of the various claimant agencies. The Minister said that due notice should be taken of this warning. He further drew attention to advice received from Mr. Bradlev Dewey, Rubber Director, that although the United States was now producing synthetic rubber at a greater rate than that at which crude rubber was consumed annually in thei United States prior to 1941, the nation’s military and civilian demands for tyres and other rubber products still continued to exceed supply. The urgency for the conservation of rubber so strongly expressed in the United States, said Mr. Sulivan, applied equally to NewZealand, and he appealed to.all road users to conserve tyres