RESTRICTION ON PETROL.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 263, 4 October 1940, Page 4

RESTRICTION ON PETROL.

FIGURES QUESTIONED

Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Oct. 3. The further statement of the Government's policy in the restriction of the u&o of petrol made by Hon. D. G. Sullivan, Minister of Supply, yesterday, is criticised by Mr Knight, secretary of the Motor Trade Federation, and Mr E. A! Butt, chairman ot the executive of t'ne \Y elliiigtou Automobile Association. Mr Knight says the Minister quoted percentage figures to show that the effect ot the cuts on commercial licenses since June bad been negligible. The figure given was 3.0, IniL Horn information made available to Mr Knight by petrol resellers tiie out bad been very much higher. If in giving the figure the Minister divided all consumers into private and commercial it might be possible to arrive at such a low figure, as Government anti Army supplies would be included in .t'ne latter. Air Kniglit says t'lieir criticism has been constructive and their cooperation has been freely offered.

The basis of petrol policy as determined Jjv the Government, which was representative of all sections of the community, was the building-up of adequate reserves, said the AJinistor of Supply (Air Sullivan) when commenting yesterday on remarks made earlier by Air Knight and All* Balt. In the course of his statement the Almisler said: “Air Knight will be interested to know that though private consumers were reduced 33 1-3 per cent, in July, the reduction in commercial licenses since June has been only 3.5 per cent., and the saving with private pump holders has been onlv 1.5 per cent. No one cognisant of the" facts could possibly niailitain that production lias been retarded because of the reductions.’’