Petrol Questioning “A Bit Over The Odds”

Grey River Argus, 28 October 1948, Page 7

Petrol Questioning “A Bit Over The Odds”

WANGANUI, Oct. 27 "It is a form of gestapo when a traffic inspector has the power to stop a motorist and ask him where and how he got his petrol, where he got his coupons and how many ne has left,” said the president or the Automobile Association (Wanganui), Mr P. D. England, at the annual meeting of the association. Mr England was referring to a notice gazetted recently, giving an inspector the power to ask any person to furnish him with information, whether by ways of returns, statements or statistics, or otherwise, relating to oil fuel or oil fuel licences or coupons and their acquisition, possession, use and disposal, and any dealings in them. “This is a bit over the. odds,” said Mr England. “Motorists know that petrol restrictions are necessary and they have to take a lot lying down, but I think it is time they should shoot their necks out a bit and take exception to these gestapo questions which they are required by the law to answer.” ■ . It was decided to send a resolution of protest against the regulation to the North Island Motor Union.