WHANGaREI TAXIS SHORT OF PETROL

Northern Advocate, 18 March 1948, Page 4

WHANGaREI TAXIS SHORT OF PETROL

FOR the remainder of this month Whangarei residents may be well advised not to rely upon obtaining a taxi to take them any distance. . . The position regarding petrol supplies for taxis operating m the borough was described by one proprietor as “grim.”

He considered that all taxis in Whangarei would be out of petrol before the end of the month. In all but cases of emergency, trips over 10 miles were now being refused, and every endeavour was being made to conserve a certain amount of petrol for sickness and similar calls for the remainder of the month. ON APRIL SUPPLIES The Chief Postmaster at Whangarei (Mr T. B. Lendrum) said all taxi operators had applied for increases in their allocations. These applications had been forwarded to the oil fuel controller, who had replied to the effect that although he would not grant an increase in the allowances, he was prepared to allow operators to draw 25 gallons in March from their April allowance.

Commenting on this proposal, taxidrivers did not consider that it would help the position in any way. In fact, it would only mean that they would run out of petrol earlier during April, they said. Reintroduction of petrol rationing to private motorists had brought an added demand for taxis in, the borough. Now people would have to face doing without taxis in many esses, drivers commented. SUPPLIES FOR MINISTERS ’ “The basic allocation of petrol to ministers of religion by the oil fuel controller is 15 gallons for town areas and 25 gallons for country districts In other regards the town areas have been defined as within a radius of 3 r miles, but this has not been applied specifically to clergymen.” ' This statement was made by Mr Lendrum when commenting on the reported shortage of petrol fur local ministers.

“In one only has an appeal been lodged for an increase in the basic ration for minsters in Whangarei,” said Mr Lendrum. The whole setup of the current oil fuel control is that petrol will be made available according to the calling asset down under specific headings. Licences had been made available in Whangarei on this basis, said Mr Lendrum.

The right of appeal, in all cases, was with the oil fuel controller, Wellington, and any requests for increases above the basic allowance were referred to him for decision. If any good or. reasonable evidence was put forward for petrol for essential uses the local authority was authorised to make small advances, pending the decision of the oil fuel controller, said Mr Lendrum. Any such grants made would not affect any amount granted by the oil fuel controller.