OFFICIAL VIEW

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 25 October 1940, Page 2

OFFICIAL VIEW

DOMINION’S PETROL RATION PRIME MINISTER STRESSES COUNTRY’S DUTY ROOM FOR DIFFERENCE ADMITTED (United Press Association] CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. Tne Government did not lightly decide on the rationing of petrol, said the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser, in an address last evening. He said that ti e Government had found it vitally necessary to build up a reserve for the armed forces “I agree that there is room for difference about petrol rationing.” said Mr v raser. “but we did not lightly decide •o ration it. My own personal experience in England in conversation and negotiation with responsible British offic als and administrators proved conclusively that we were expected to help in Vthat particular matter. Sir John Simon, former Chancellor of the Exchequer. had given a clear indication in fact, that oy relaxing the rationing last Christmas we had to some extent gone back on our professions." Mr Fraser said that messages received from the British Government indicated that help could be given in that, wav, and while the British Government would not dream of laying down derails to us to be followed here a clear indication had been given of what could bt done The last and more drastic cut in the ration had been made after full consideration of New Zealand’s own defence position. The Government had had to establish a certain reserve for the use of the armed forces, and since that date tney naa seen the Dutch East Indies threatened and the Mediterranean threatened The Government would hav- been failing in its duty had it not seen that in the event of the evil day that supplies necessary for the mobility o* the armed forces were adequate. He was glad it had been possible for an additional allowance to be granted CASUALTY LIST MEN IN ENGLAND AND EGYPT TWO KILLED BY ENEMY ACTION (United Press Association] WELLINGTON, This Day. The following casualties in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force overseas were announced last evening:— Gunner George Charles Woon, died in England as result of accident. Mother: Mrs Alice Woon, 163. Mt. Eden roac’, Auckland. Sapper Edward Owen O’Brien. 7th Field Company. N.Z.E., accidentally killed in England, result of motor accident. Wife: Mrs E. O’Brien, 12 Harbour Terrace, Ravensbourne. Corporal John William Brown, 22nd Rifle Brigade, killed in England, result of enemy action. Mother: Mrs A. S. Brown. 3 Boston Terrace, Wellington. Corporal Peter Grant Ballantyne, A.S.C., killed in Egypt, result of air bomb fragments. Wife: Mrs J. Ballantyne. Longleat, Waipukurau.