LACK OF PETROL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24827, 29 January 1942, Page 6

LACK OF PETROL

MOTOR INDUSTRY SUFFERING TRADERS' RECOMMENDATION ONE COUPON A MONTH The opinion that the difficulties that have been created by the restrictions upon the use of petrol could be largely obviated if private motorists were allowed the use of one coupon a month is expressed in a statement which has been issued by the Otago branch of the New Zealand Retail Motor Trade Association. What was described as the " parlous condition " of the industry was discussed at a meeting of the branch on Tuesday night, and the statement was the outcome of the decisions which were reached. The secretary of the New Zealand Association, Mr C. R. Edmond, was present at the meeting. The statement is as follows: The implication that motor cars are a luxury has created a negative complex, while the cry of " save petrol and be patriotic" has undermined sound judgment, with the result that at the present time the country is faced with the prospect of immobilisation of private transport through the laying up of private cars. The first effect is the running down of the battery, and in order to overcome this it is necessary for the owner to arrange for battery service to be given, which involves expense without return, or to lay his battery up, thereby completely immobilising the vehicle. Motor vehicles will be essential in a crisis, but if kept in a garage without proper attention they will quickly deteriorate, and the public conscience should be awakened and a realisation of the position grasped. War Effort Hampered

The time lost by people in responsible positions through using slower means of transport is hampering the Dominion war effort, and that time is an essential factor is evidently realised by the Government in its use of motor cars. The Otago Branch of the N.Z. -Retail Motor Trade is of the firm opinion that the whole position can be saved by the issue of one coupon a month to all private motorists to enable them to keep their cars in running order. In addition, the petrol reseller would get some respite from the staggering weight he is carrying, and garages which at the present time are crying out for work would also benefit. Although the Government has attempted to relieve the position of the garages by putting work in their way, the work is not garage work, and could be better handled by the engineering trade, while the tying up of garage equipment is not helping the industry in its essential sphere, which is to keep the country's motor transport " and at the same time make the best possible use of the man-power available.

The issue of one coupon a month would involve approximately 600,000 gallons of petrol or in other words, two tankers par year, which is a small outlay for so vital a return in a country which is largely dependent on motor transport and which incidentally is the only British possession to cut out petrol for private users. In point of fact the ration allowed in England for January was from four gallons for eight horse-power cars to eight gallons for 20 horse-power cars. Comparative Costs

The actual amount which would require to be expended by the Government in the purchase of 600,000 gallons of petrol would be but a fraction of the cost involved in any scheme for the institution of. a battery service while at the same time, the mechanical parts ofVthe' car would be' retained in running order;' .„■ \

The';meeting r fully 'supported the action of the New Zealand secretary in recommending to the Government that, while the drastic restrictions are in operation,. reseller pumps which are operated M stores and others as a side line, be : closed down and that some provision should be made by the Government:, to enable resellers ■ storing army petrol to remain in business.

Stronjg gupport;-\vßS' also given to the suggestion that for a period: of the war the gallonage of commercial users should be diverted from commercial pumps to the reseller. As the position stands," the oil companies are charging full retail rate to commercial users and unless a certain gallonage is reached, will retain the amount of 3d per gallon, being the difference between the wholesale and retail price. The meeting was emphatically of the opinion that any profit accruing from the retail sale, of petrol should be for the benefit of the legitimate reseller who is in business for the purpose of supplying retail needs. At the close of the debate disappointment was expressed at the evident lack of vision" on the part of the Government in that, although approaches were made by the motor trade and constructive suggestions put forward in December, no statement of future policy in respect of the motor industry had been announced, and it was therefore decided to place the position before the public and at the same time acquaint the Prime Minister, Mr P. Fraser. the Minister of Supply, ,Mr D. G. Sullivan, and local members of Parliament of the views of the Otago branch.