Petrol Rationing Again

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21559, 23 January 1940, Page 6

Petrol Rationing Again

IN his announcement of the reimposition of petrol rationing in the Dominion, the Minister of Supply emphasised that the British Government had asked the Deputy Prime Minister, when he was in England, to see that New Zealand conserved petrol supplies as much as possible. In the kind of warfare which must be expected to-day petrol is an important factor, it may conceivably be a deciding factor, and once this fact is recognised the obligations of the private motorists become clear. The rationing which will be introduced at the beginning of next month is less severe than that applied shortly after the outbreak of war, and most motorists will realise that the allowance to be made is as generpus as circumstances permit. New Zealand, at any rate, is better placed than other belligerent countries in Europe, so there should be no complaint against the new restrictions. In framing the regulations the Government is striving in the first place to reduce the normal consumption of petrol by 30 per cent., but all essential services are to be maintained, and an effort will be made as far as practicable to lessen hardship among those engaged in the motor industry. It is inevitable that a number of workers must suffer, but there is no escape from this. Since the war is the first cause of the restrictions motorists are under a moral obligation to accept rationing and take no advantage,of means that may lie at hand to circumvent the regulations. There are ways in which this may be done, but the shrewdness of the hoarder will not be admired by his fellows. Rather will he be an object of contempt. This cutting down of the petrol allowance, then, should be regarded as a minute contribution to the Allied victory, and the sacrifice is negligible when compared with those already being made by the people of Great Britain. Mr Sullivan has suggested ways in which petrol may be made to go further and motorists will serve themselves well if they study the Minister’s advice. Reduced speed, for one thing, will lessen consumption.