PETROL RATIONING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27389, 15 May 1950, Page 4

PETROL RATIONING

Not Caused By Dollar Shortage INVESTIGATOR’S VIEW Daily Times Special Service AUCKLAND, May 14. “There is no doubt in my mind that the continued rationing of etrol in New Zealand is no longer bound up with dollars,” said Mr R. E. Champtaloup, touring manager of the Auckland Automobile Association, when ne arrived by air from Sydney. He was returning from a holiday visit to Australia in which he toured New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia, and exchanged views with traffic, hotel, motor camping and touring interests. Mr Champtaloup said he had had an opportunity of investigating the petrol position in Australia, where the abolition of petrol rationing had been most popular with the general public. The increase in consumption since rationing was lifted had been very small. He said that after a very close investigation of the supply situation bethought it was obvious that the bogey of dollar shortages in relation to the availability of petrol could no longer be regarded seriously. “I am convinced—and this opinion is supported by reliable evidence in Australia—that there is an abundance of sterling petrol available to any country willing and able to purchase supplies,” added Mr Champtaloup.