PETROL SUPPLIES

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 60, Issue 4235, 24 January 1940, Page 7

PETROL SUPPLIES

RATIONING SYSTEM REINTRODUCED. TO COMMENCE ON FEBRUARY Ist. The expected announcement by the Minister of Supply restricting the use of petrol for motor vehicles, duly eventuated on Monday evening, when the Hon. D. G. Sullivan made it known, in a broadcast address, that rationing would be resumed on February Ist—Thursday of next week—when the larger private cars would be limited to a consumption maximum of twelve gallons per month, and smaller cars to eight gallons. That, said the Minister, was considered ample to allow private motorists to travel approximately 240 miles a month for domestic and pleasure purposes. The action taken was in accordance with advice received from the British Government, and followed conversations the Hon. P. Fraser had had with the authorities at Home re- | cently. BASIS OF RATIONING. 1 Mr Sullivan said he realised that the livelihood* of many thousands of New Zealanders was directly or indirectly dependent on petrol. The new rationing proposals had been very carefully worked out on the following basis:-—(1) To effect a reduction of approximately 30 per cent; (2) to maintain all essential services and national production; and (3) to avoid as far as possible hardship and unemployment in the motor industry. With the full co-operation of the motoring public, it was anticipated that the scheme would continue for quite a number of months, always subject to there beingf no adverse change in the international situation, the Minister added. Arrangements had been made for two important events in February, the Waitangi celebrations and the Eucharistic Congress, and strong representations had been made that restrictions should be postponed until after these events had occurred. “The Government feels that the duty is so clear that it is essential that the restrictions should be introduced not later than February 1,” he continued. He realised, however, the time and trouble that had gone into the preparation of the celebrations, and to cause as little disappointment as possible he was endeavouring to arrange for a special ration for motorists attending either event. SPECIAL RATIONS.

“Licenses will be available on application to the local sub-district oil fuel controllers, usually postmasters,” Mr Sullivan sad. At the same time motorists would be helping the Government if they would use as far as possible any suitable means of public transport to reach the scene of either event. The Minister referred to the cheerful acceptance of hardship in Britain and said that people in New Zealand were just as concerned with the result of the war as were their kin overseas, although it was difficult in the Dominion to realise that the country was at war. By cheerfully accepting and loyally supporting the restrictions users could help in a small way to win the war. It should be remembered that a gallon of petrol saved was a gallon for war purposes. Mr Sullivan said he appreciated the part played by motoring in the modern community, and realised the possible hardships of restrictions. In time of war, however, sacrifice was essential and hardship inevitable.