TE AWAMUTU COURIER. Printed on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. MONDAY, 17th MARCH, 1941. PETROL SUPPLIES.

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 62, Issue 4403, 17 March 1941, Page 4

TE AWAMUTU COURIER. Printed on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. MONDAY, 17th MARCH, 1941. PETROL SUPPLIES.

THERE would seem to be a begging of the question when, in answer to the Government’s appeal for economy in the use of petrol, the argument is advanced that there is no lack of petrol in the world. Even if there are ample supplies, although the first cal) on them must be that of the Empire authorities for use for military purposes, the need still exists for the conservation of dollar exchange. It is upon this need, as the Otago Daily Times points out, that the whole Government case for the rationing of the commodity rests. There was, curiously enough, running through the recent statement on tha subject by the Minister for Supply, a suggestion that the Government was making a greater concession to motorists in maintaining the ration at its present figure than was actually' justified. Not only did Mr Sullivan say that the supply situation was causing the Government grave concern, but he declared also that, unless motorists voluntarily restricted their consumption, it would become alarming within the next two months. The comment which a statement of this kind invites is that the Government, possessing information which is not available to the public, should not be so timid as to refrain from fixing the maximum amount which motorists should use. It convicts itself of a lack of courage and of a reluctance to face realities when it begs motorists not to use the whole of the allowance that is made to them and not to transfer, but to destroy, any coupons that are not used by them. It is unfair on the part of the Government to throw upon individual motorists an onus to save petrol out of their allowance when it is in its power to enforce the saving which it regards as necessary; and since there should be no wrongful use of petrol, the Government should see to it that greater supervision is exercised than at present over the consumption in Ministerial tours and outings and in departmental business. The wasteful use of petrol on Government transport services and in Government cars is a sore point with those whom the restrictions drive on to short commons.