PETROL CONSUMPTION IN N.Z.

Southland Times, Issue 24158, 21 June 1940, Page 8

PETROL CONSUMPTION IN N.Z.

IMMEDIATE REDUCTION NECESSARY (From Our Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, June 20. The necessity for an immediate reduction in the consumption of petrol was emphasized by the Minister of Supply (the Hon. D. G. Sullivan) in an interview this evening. He indicated that unless petrol users did this of their own volition, further rationing was inevitable. “There is no need for me to tell the average man about the gravity of the international situation,” said Mr Sullivan. “Our petrol has to be brought from overseas a distance of at least 3000 miles. Oil fuel is so vital to our defence and to our national production that the Government would be failing in its duty if it did not protect the existing reserves. This can be done only if all private car owners and commercial users restrict their consumption to the barest minimum.

“I do not wish to reduce the present rations,” said the Minister, “but we definitely must restrict consumption further, and that at once. I make an earnest appeal to all petrol users to make it their patriotic duty not to use a drop more petrol than is absolutely essential. Otherwise there will be further rationing.”