Again Stresses Need For Conserving Tyres

Northern Advocate, 23 May 1944, Page 2

Again Stresses Need For Conserving Tyres

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, This Day A close investigation into the position of tractor tyres had been made by the Government within the last few months, said the Minister for Supply and Munitions (Hon. D. G. Sullivan), in a statement last night. This had been done as a result of inquiries about the conversion of tractors at present on steel wheels to pneumatic equipment.

It was realised, of course, that in genera! there were advantages in making ihe change, but inquiry had disclosed that New Zealand was particularly fortunate to receive tractor tyres coming forward at present. Such tyres covered replacements only, as no provision coulcl be made for tyres required for conversion. In the circumstances, said the Minister, he thought it desirable io draw the attention of tractor operators and tractor selling firms to the fact that conversion could not take place. I‘ioduction Difficulties

Mr. Sullivan also referred to the difficulties of tyre production this year throughout the United Nations, adding that advice had been received from the j Office of War Information in the United j Stales to the effect that on (he present anI alysis of supply and requirements, there I would be a shortage in meeting ail the j stated requirements of the various elaimj ant agencies. The Minister said due notice should be taken of this warning. He also drew at- ; tention to the advice received from Mr. Bradley Dewey, Rubber Director, that al- ! though the United States was now prodtu:- ! ing synthetic rubber at. a greater rate, than j that in which crude rubber was consumed j annually in the United States prior to ‘ 1941, the nation’s military and civilian demands for tyres and other rubber products still continued to exceed the supply. The urgency for ihe conservation of rubber so strongly expressed in the United States, said Mr. Sullivan, applied equally to New Zealand, and he appealed to all road users to conserve tyres.