N.Z. FUEL WASTE

Hokitika Guardian, 12 July 1940, Page 7

N.Z. FUEL WASTE

CONTROLLER’S POWER

'Pei Press Association—Copyright)

CHRISTCHURCH, July 11

Recently the N.Z. Oil Fuel Controller quelled any idea of resistance ■amofng (Christchurch linillc vendors against the measures proposed to zone the city in order to conserve petrol supplies. The opposition was confined to comparatively lew. These held that suppliers of raw milk were not represented on the Christchurch mill. Delivery Board. These felt that the big companies—dominated the hoard and were going to arrange things to suit themselves.

The position was. complicated b\ the fact that many suppliers were dilatory in ' returning .answers to a questionnaire concerning the quantity and area of their rounds. Nearly half the milk vendors in the city failed to reply within the stipulated time. Even when an extension of time was granted, replies were held back. The Milk Board decided to prosecute all defaulting vendors. The Dominion Oil Fuel Controller (Mr G. L. Laurenson) came to the conclusion that all vendors had had sufficient time to make up their minds to help, and decided that the decision of the Milk Board to prosecute defaulting vendors would lead to further delay and adversely affect the conservation of petrol, which, after all was the Government’s main object.

Hence the Controller’s decision that petrol supplies would be withheld from all vendors who neglected to send*, in the stipulated returns, which were considered essential by the Milk Board before it could formulate a satisfactory zone plan.

Investigation showed that, by the adoption of a zoning scheme, Christchurch milk vendors could save about 3,00 U miles a day, or 1,005,010 miles a year. On a petrol ibasis of 16 miles to the gallon, the saving which Christchurch milkmen could contribute to the country’s oil fuel supplies would he 67,000 gallons a year. As a. result of the threat by the Controller every milk vendor in Christchurch has toed the line. All the returns are in, and the board is now able to pi’oceed with the formulation of a zoning plan for the whole city of Christchurch. RADICAL CUTS IN AUSTRALIA. MELBOURNE, July 11. Just under thirty-nine miles per week will he the maximum mileage that will ho allowed for private ears without special claims under a new petrol rationing scheme which is announced by Sir Frederick Stewart, the Supply Minister. In the case of private vehicles, tie annual mileage ranges from two thousand miles upward. Commercial vehicles are to he allowed from 2,500 to fifteen thousand miles yearly. It is expected that the new rationing will operate from September 1, * w..'.