WHEAT AND PETROL

Southland Times, Issue 25738, 31 July 1945, Page 3

WHEAT AND PETROL

Sir,—I have been waiting for an abler pen than mine to draw the public’s attention to a letter published in your paper about a week ago written by T. G. McNeill, Thornbury. The oil fuel controller in Invercargill said that he had no comments to make when shown the letter. To my mind that was most unsatisfactory. Why did he not state the reason for not giving petrol for such a worthy cause? Mr McNeill was putting himself about to grow the wheat, and will now have to sell the seed wheat for fowl feed or let it rot in the shed. I understand that when he bought it he did not have the slightest idea that he would not be able to get the petrol to sow it. About 30 acres of wheat sown would have produced about 2000 bushels, which seems to me to be badly needed on the other side of the world at the present time. It also means that others are not going to try and grow wheat when the oil fuel controller (if he is consistent) will turn them down for petrol. It seems to me a great pity that there are not more like Mr McNeill. The Government is crying out day and night over the wireless, through the papers and also public speakers for wheat. What a farce the whole business is! The petrol ration is to be doubled for private cars next month, too. Why the oil fuel controller had no comments to make is a puzzle not only to me but to thousands of others as well. Why did he not give his reason for so doing? It means, Sir, that others as well as Mr McNeill will not answer the call to produce foodstuffs when appealed to by the Government in future. Mr McNeill thought it was his duty to assist and do his share, but he has been knocked back. Apparently his assistance is not wanted. I know this wheat was to have been sown purely as a war effort by the above-mentioned farmer, but he has received very little thanks from headquarters. I think this matter should be referred to Parliament. Taxis are allotted about 100 gallons per month. About 20 per cent of their work might be essential; the other 80 we will say nothing about. Mr McNeill’s offer was 100 per cent essential. One gets the petrol; the other does not. I would like some abler writer than myself to take this matter up. It is serious. PUZZLED.

[This letter was shown to the district oil fuel controller, Mr F. A. Robins, who made the following statement: “Allocations of oil fuel for farmers are made by a special committee of experts and on the information supplied by the applicant. There would be no need for rationing if applicants could draw unlimited quantities, and the position of Dominion stocks has to be considered in each case.”]