PETROL RATIONING.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 267, 9 October 1940, Page 2

PETROL RATIONING.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —In your issue of the 4th inst. vou quote the Minister of Supply ns stating regarding petrol rationing that “though private consumers were reduced 33 1-3 per cent, in July, the reduction in commercial licenses since June has been only 3$ per cent.” This statement is so misleading that we feel it should not be left uncorrected. We would ask you to examine the form of the statement. As against the reduction to private users “in July” .it sets up the induction to commercial users “since June.” If not intended to mislead, why the employment of two different bases? The fact, sir, is that commercial licenses sustained a heavy cut “effective 30th Juno.’ Hence the statement that they have been cut only’ 3i per cent, “since June.” But even so the statement flirts with the truth inasmuch as the reductions were advised “in July effective restrospcctively to Ist July. During the first week of July commercial licenses in Palmerston North were overhauled; and daily over that first week local resellers received schedule advices of reductions in various licenses. B.v way of specific illustration we quote notices received by our own two stations affecting fortyfive licenses totalling 787 gallons monthly up till 30th June, reduced to 53S gallons— a reduction of more than 31 per cent. Other local resellers could produce similar data. In face of those facts, we ask, sir, whether the Minister’s statement correctly informed the public. Nor even is this yet the whole of the facts. Commercial licenses had already previously', in February' last, been cut heavily; so that this cut of 30th June was a socond one. What is the result ? Wo have commercial men unable to conduct their business efficiently', or to employ their time properly' throughout the month, reduced to begging coupons' to help them out. The Minister continues to reiterate that “petrol restrictions are 'not to interfere with production.” But of what use is production without distribution and exchange? Does the Minister pretend to, or expect from his local advisory' committees, such nice knowledge of the requirements of distribution and exchange if same are to be compressed within arbitrary figures, while being so solicitous of production? The Automobile Associations have this week informed Parliament why; Canada (whose war effort is magnificent) has refrained from any petrol restrictions whatsoever, viz., to avoid rocking the economic boat and thus hindering the maximum war effort. Our Government, however, does not appear to have been influenced by any' such considerations, but solely by a desire to reduce the use of petrol. Indeed, we believe the facts to he that during the first nine months of. the war, whatever may' since have been done, the restrictions imposed- upon usage were unaccompanied by any constructive policy to build up, or even assure, maintenance of stocks. ~ Sir Harry' Better lice recently jumped into the arena with a statement (in what was thought by many to be peculiar context) that England had requested continuation of petrol restrictions in New Zealand. But he did not say that England had nominated the extent of restriction, or had requested that same should be more severe than in Australia, or in England itself; nor did he enlighten his audience as to why' there were no restrictions in force in Canada, South Africa, and India, nor in Fiji, or any other Crown Colony', under the direct administration of the British Government. ‘ What is it all about? What is the real position that we cannot have regarding petrol ? This war is being fought for square dealing arid good faith; and by truth Britain is winning. New Zealanders are being made more than gravely suspicious that, in the name of dollar-sterling exchange, an attempt is being made to trade upon their patriotism to bolster up New Zealand sterling exchange which has been jeopardised through other than war causes.—Yours faithfully, : . . F. G. JOLLY, Chairman, Palmerston North Garage Proprietors’ Association.

GOODWILL PRATT, Chairman, Palmerston North Petrol Resellers’ Association. 9/10/40. (To the Editor.) Sir, —The president of the Motor Trades Federation says that Canada has. not applied restrictions. The oil is in her own backyard so to speak, and 'her huge volume of business with the'U.S.A. ensures plenty of dollars to pay for it. Whether we like it or not, we are coming to a stage where we must cut imports still further. Our butter, wool, meat, etc., have been purchased for the “duration” at fixed prices. The costs of imported goods rise weekly. With the situation as it is in the Pacific it takes a bold man to say we should increase our consumption of petrol. Better get used to rationing and so have less confusion if our supply should be cut off overnight. Of course it ia i«grettable that the workers in the motor trade must find new occupations. There were never more opportunities than to-day to do so, however. One does not recall the motor industry-shedding any tears over the decline in the buggy whip and carriage lamp industry. When the benzine vehicle displaced the steed all those workers' in the chaff-growing, harness-making, and allied trades just had to adapt themselves to new conditions. Personally, I don’t like restrictions any more than the next chap. It is raining to-day and I have to make my calls per cycle owing to my delivery license being cut to 14 gallons per month. Incidentally, the cycle and railway industry are taking up some of the slack. So instead, of harassing the Government I am willing to push my “bike” against the westerly winds of Palmerston North until I am called up to do my bit against the real culprit, one Adolph Hitler— Yours, etc., „ _ 618/1357.