RATIONING OF PETROL

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21842, 20 December 1940, Page 6

RATIONING OF PETROL

Attitude Of Motor Unions Letter Sent To Prime Minister (Special to "The Timaru Herald”) WELLINGTON, December 10. Consideration of the present position in New Zealand in relation to the rationing of petrol was given at a recent meeting of representatives of the North Island and South Island Motor Unions. All relative information available, including official published statements, was taken into consideration and a letter to the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser was drawn up by Mr J. H. Edmundson, president of the North Island Motor Union, and Mr W. R. Carey, president of the South Island Motor Union (to which Unions all Automobile Associations in New Zealand are affiliated). Members present were fully conscious of the shipping dangers, which were evident, but the following points, which it was stated could not be disregarded, were included in the letter: - 1. “As far as is known, New Zealand consumers of petrol suffer more inconvenience in relation to that commodity than consumers anywhere else in the Empire. 2. “That the rationing is more severe than elsewhere, there being no restriction in Fiji for instance, while the Australian ration is much greater than ours. 3. “That restriction in sales alone does not result in stocks being built up and in fact reduced sales are causing vendors of petrol to carry smaller stocks. 4. “That much idle storage space is available at service stations in tanks not being used now that there is a standard grade and through-put is so greatly reduced. Bulk storage points are so much more vulnerable than scattered tanks. 5. “That the present harsh restrictions which allow many motorists to acquire petrol in only hand-to-mouth fashion would render ineffective a large proportion of transport in the event of an emergency as envisaged by the Emergency Precautions Scheme. 6. “That the conditions referred to in paragraph 5 would be further intensified by the difficulty that would result from attempts to obtain urgent supplies from service stations whose hours are restricted and whose stocks can be expected to be light. More Liberal Treatment Justified “The attitude of the Motor Unions,” continues the letter, “is expressed in the following resolution unanimously accepted which is respectfully submitted for your favourable consideration : “ ‘That this meeting of the Council of the North Island Motor Union, associated with delegates representing the South Island Motor Union, having considered official statements published on the subject of petrol rationing avers that the representations made by the Motor Unions for more liberal treatment have been wholly justified, and the fact that during recent days greater menace to our shipping communications have developed has demonstrated the soundness of the urge that has been made to the authorities to build up and maintain petrol stocks in the Dominion, which end could, in the opinion of the Union, be more effectively attained by enabling wholesalers, resellers and consumers to secure larger supplies than have been possible under the harsh restrictions imposed. “ ‘ That it must be evident that those engaged in the industry would be disinclined to maintain sufficiently large stocks to handle the much reduced demand occasioned bv restraint. It is, therefore, maintained that a regular tlu-ough-put on a coupon basis of 16, 12 and eight gallons respectively for private cars as advocated by the Unions last September Is sound practice and this viewpoint is commended to the Government for favourable action.’ ’’

Observing that the Oil Fuel Controller had granted the -use of five petrol coupons for January and February, Mrf E. J. Brock, of Waimate, in a letter to the Automobile Association (S.C.) read at a meeting last night suggested that, as many people would be taking their annual holidays in January, the Association should take up the question of allowing motorist to use in January any coupons they may be able to save from the November-December allotment. It was decided to forward the suggestion to the S.I.M.U.