Transport Minister Warns Racing Clubs

Northern Advocate, 26 April 1944, Page 4

Transport Minister Warns Racing Clubs

WELLINGTON. Monday

An appeal to the public to assist in conserving petrol and rubber by restricting road transport was made by the Minister for Transport (Hon. J. O’Brien). Coal shortage, he said, had prevented the railways from catering for transport to race meetings, but some racing clubs had turned to road transport in an endeavour to secure reasonable attendance of horses and the public at their meetings. Not A Gccd Approach The Minister emphasised that this was not a ago.od approach to the problem, and could only be pursued by people unacquainted with the real reason for road transport restrictions. "In most cases applicants have been advised of the actual fuel position, but, with the exception of two or three clubs, pressure for special transport licenses has been kept up. Some clubs, horseowners and persons connected with racing co-operated in every possible way to husband _our much-needed oil fuel and rubber, which are now at as low an ebb as they have ever been; in fact, our supplies have never been more uncertain han they are to-day. It is only by the strictest economy in every phase of road transport that we can keep our essential industries going full time.” A Warning Issued Mr. O’Brien said that to date the Government had been compelled to refuse special transport, permits to athletic sports, picnics, concert parties and necessary patriotic functions. Representatives of these organisations, and jacing clubs, may as well know when they are organising meetings that on no account will further road licenses be granted until the fuel and rubber position has improved—and there is no sign of improvement yet.