CARS OF SECRETARIES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23591, 27 February 1940, Page 4

CARS OF SECRETARIES

TRADE UNION OFFICIALS ESSENTIAL PETROL USERS In complaining that as a dairy produeer lie has been, placed on an allowance of petrol inadequate for the purposes of his farm, . a correspondent draws attention to the fact that trades union secretaries are classed as essential users and so under the oil fuel regulations are entitled to-a much more generous allowance than he has been granted. " The correspondent writes as follows: "Like many other old diggers lan j anxious to do all 1 can to help the Government in its war effort and" count no sacrifice too great to that' end. Before the conflict is past present inconveniences will pale into insignificance as compared to what we all must'face, to my humble mind. Being beyond military age I have been planning to do my bit on the land to help to increase production on a back country section - of some 600 acres, 30 miles from the nearest township and some miles off the road where the cream cart passes. ~

"I have a milkiing j)lant and hare to cart mv own cream out over a rough and hilly road. My past allotment of benzine %vas over 30 gallons a month. I was prepared for a smalL cut. but imagine my surprise when I got an allotment of 12 gallons a month. If this is the Jast word from the 'controller I will simply he forced to sell mj r herd and go in for sheep "or cattle. "I depend on benzine for lighting, power and transport, and it cannot be uone on 12 gallons a month.. So itiiich for the producer. ; "But imagine my surprise-on making inquiries to find' that union secretaries are rated as essential industries and entitled to 30 gallons a month--the highest allotment allowed individuals. It is known that under the oil fuel regulations the allowance to those who use their cars for business purposes Js based upon the official categories of essential and semi-essential into wmcn a particular occupation falls. taries of trades unions, guilds and similar organisations come under the essential class, the allowance for which is up to 30 gallons for heavy cars and /u gallons for light. The allowance in.the semi-essential category is up to 1* gallons for heavy and eight gallons tor light cars. The actual allowance grunted •within the specified limits depends upon the circumstances of individual cases.