Australia Also Asked to Restrict Petrol-Sullivan

Northern Advocate, 17 February 1940, Page 6

Australia Also Asked to Restrict Petrol-Sullivan

[Per Press Association. Covyright.'] - CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. The atV-ude of the Australian Commonwealth towards petrol restrictions and the bearing of the question of what Australia would do on what New Zealand has done in that regard, was the subject of a question to the Minister for Supply (Mr. Sullivan) Mr. Sullivan said he understood the same request for conservation of petrol in order to conserve dollar funds to aid the purchase of munitions in America by the British Government had been made to Australia. N.Z. Decided to Respond. The New Zealand Government decided to respond to the appeal of the British Government, and render that form of assistance. Australia, would, of course, make its own decision whether it would or would npt respond to the British representations in the same way as New Zealand had done. Mr. Sullivan added that he had discussed the matter with the AssistantCommonwealth Minister of Commerce (Mr. Mcßride) and the Australian Minister to Washington (Mr. Casey) on their recent visits to New Zealand. Mr. Mcßride said he was definitely of the opinion that the Commonwealth Government would make a contribution to the British cause by imposing petrol restrictions, and he had no objection to Mr. Sullivan saying so. Thinks Australia Will Fall in Line. Mr. Casey declared that the Commonwealth authorities were discussing the matter. He seemed to think that when • l finality \\as reached there would be restrictions £n Australia as in New 5 j Zealand. [ Mr. Suilivan also said that if . would not be the wish of any Govern- • ment to undertake petrol restrictions. 1 with all the difficulties involved co ’ itself and its people. t It would oniy do so if such a'course was justified by the needs of the situation.