PETROL POSITION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24837, 10 February 1942, Page 4

PETROL POSITION

LACK OF FORESIGHT NOMINAL ALLOWANCE SOUGHT “Motorists of all classes are asking what is the position regarding petrol supplies and what our union is doing about it,” said the president of the Automobile Association (Otago), Mr P. W. Breen, at a meeting of the executive of the association last night. “ I would advise. them that a committee comprising representatives of both the North and South Island Unions has discussed the position fully, and has asked the Prime Minister to allow this committee, together with representatives of the motor trade, to meet the War Council for a. conference on motoring matters, with particular reference to petrol supplies for private and commercial cars. Mr Fraser agreed to this, and it is hoped that the meeting will take place very soon.” Motorists were asking now why they were placed in their present position, Mr Breen continued. Their cars were immobilised and in the event of an emergency most cars could not be brought into use because the batteries would be run down. There was also the danger of corrosion since condensation in the engine caused rusting of the cylinder walls. No Provision Made

Since the petrol restrictions were imposed more than tyo years ago in order to build up stocks, motorists now wanted to kno wwhy the authorities did not see that those stocks were built up and provision was made for the present emergency. The economic loss to service stations was a very large one, and this was also a serious matter for car owners because when cars were allowed petrol once again, there would be numerous troubles and it would then be found that mechanics would not be available to do the necessary work. The unions and the trade were asking for a nominal allowance of petrol—one coupon a month—to provide enough petrol to keep cars in running order and not enough to allow for long pleasure drives. ' This would keep most of the 200,000 or more cars in the Dominion in running order in the event of an emergency. The Australian Commonwealth Government had stated recently that rations for cars would remain as they were at present, and that there was no intention of immobilising private and commercial cars in Australia.

“ The patriotism, of the motorists of New Zealand cannot be questioned,” said Mr Breen, who outlined the many directions in which the war effort had been assisted.’ “We cannot, understand, therefore, why New Zealand should be singled out as the only British dominion that has not made adequate provision for petrol stocks in the event of just such an emergency as we are at present experiencing.” Registration Fees

Mr Breen also referred to the question of registration fees which had been collected for a year in advance. He asked whether the Government would make a refund for this year’s unexpired term or whether it would extend the present expiry date for registration.

It was mentioned by a member that the arrival of two tankers a year would be sufficient to allow one coupon a month to every motorist.

“It would take about 500,000 gallons a month,” Mr Breen said. “ This request would not be urged if we did not know that the position is fairly sound.”

There was unanimous agreement with Mr Breen’s remarks, and the meeting endorsed the action of the union in asking for a relaxation of the restrictions to allow at least one coupon a month. i