PETROL RATIONS

Hokitika Guardian, 18 September 1940, Page 3

PETROL RATIONS

MOTOR, TRADERS’ CRITICISM. (Per Press Association—Copyright). WELLINGTON, Sep. 17. | • The Government was criticised for the restrictions placed on the motor trade, at the annual conference <u trade representatives to-day, on the grounds that the restrictions were not entirely for war purposes, .and . that the trade was being asked to do more lor sterling conservation than j other sections of the community, j The Mayor of Wellington (Mr T. j C. A. Hislop) opening the conference, | leferred to the control under the War Regulations, as it affected the City Electricity Department. He. said that the Petrol Controller wanted j wage increases to be submitted to him for approval. He had a pretty good idea that the Council would not do that. The President of the Federation (Mr C. R. Edmond) said that the trade was suffering from three main factors, for which the Government was responsible. There was a lack of fraukuesss and lack of sincerity, and the co-operation available from the trade had not been used. The Government had done nothing, and, so far as lie knew, was doing nothing to keep up the fuel .stocks. If it had 'done so, additional restrictions could have been avoided, it was not until the beginning of July that the Minister of Finance (Mr Nash) said that- restrictions were required to conserve petrol. The motor trade had made a great contribution to the war effort, and was entitled to ask for some assurance regarding the future. Mr L. N. Montgomery ( Nelson) was elected president.