To Fill Exigencies of Warfare

Northland Age, Volume XVIII, Issue 38, 15 February 1949, Page 4

To Fill Exigencies of Warfare

EX-ARMY COLONEL SUPPORTS APPLICATION In support of the application by the Oil Companies for road tanker licenses before the No. 1 Transport Licensing Authority, appeared Mr. 11. T. Atkinson, who stated that whilst he would not set up as a military expert, he considered that the fact that he was called up to take command as Lieutenant-Colonel of a Coastal Defence Battalion during the late war, and in that capacity had served for three years, gave him some right to an opinion on the matter of petrol supply during wartime activities. He said that he was also Chairman of the Bay 0 f Islands County Council, and also a member, and had been for some number of years, of other public and sporting bodies. His opinion was that the distribution of petrol for defence purposes in war time had two essentials, the first being speed, and the second the establishment of dumps in places the least vulnerable to attack. The only possibe method would be rail tankers and tank waggons, with direct road tankers as an alernative. “Would bulk installation at the railhead, combined with road tankers, meet military requirements in Northland?” asked Mr. Ross of the witness. “Yes, the sea would be ruled out as being too vulnerable a route.” Would drums by rail be suitable? continued Mr. Ross. No. Petrol must be carried in as great a bulk as possible. Asked for his comments on the tanker system, Mr. Atkinson said that it was progress which was what Northland needed. Investigating the efficiency and economy Mr. Atkinson found that petrol was sold in Waimate North for one penny a gallon cheaper, with considerable saving in time in handling drums. The county engineer assured him that, provided the oil companies complied with speed and weight restrictions en certain roads, the tankers would not materially affect roads and bridges.