CHANGED ATTITUDE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 3 December 1940, Page 4

CHANGED ATTITUDE

PETROL RATIONING QUESTION ADVOCACY OF RELAXATION SUSPENDED [United Press Association] WELLINGTON. This Day. Members of the executive of the Automobile Association (Wellington) agreed with their chairman, Mr E. A. Batt, when he said at a meeting of the executive last night that he was not prepared at the present juncture to advocate further a relaxation in the restrictions on the petrol consumption. Remarking that petrol restrictions, specially during the holidays, was a burning question among the association’s members and motorists generally, the chairman said his own view was that very rapid changes were taking place in world affairs, specially in the Pacific, and there had been striking indications, particularly in the last week, that the enemy was at New Zealand’s door w r ith raiders. It was his opinion that it was not for them to say any more about petrol while danger existed in the Pacific. It would be unfair to the defence of the country and against their own interests. “While we have had good reason to take up the attitude we have, a bigger question is now at stake and that is our very safety,” said the chairman. “I think a position has been arrived at that was not in existence before where there should be conservation of petrol. I am not prepared personally to advocate that petrol, that may be very difficult to bring across the Pacific in the near future, should be used unnecessarily at present." Hear, hear.) Mr H. M. Toogood said the authorities knew the facts and could be relied on to use their discretion. “We are vitally concerned in petrol but we are more vitally concerned in the safety of the country as a wholes* \ the chairman concluded.