MORE PETROL WANTED

Waikato Independent, Volume XL, Issue 3765, 2 October 1940, Page 2

MORE PETROL WANTED

MOTOR TRADE’S PETITION TWENTY REASONS GIVEN The motor trade in New Zealand has never objected to some degree of petrol rationing, but has contended that the restrictions in the Dominion are unduly severe. In a pamphlet issued by the New Zealand Motor Trade ** Federation, twenty reasons are given why there is no necessity for such severe restrictions. The pamphlet is in support of a petition which is being circulated among petrol consumers and will be placed before the House of Representatives, asking that the allowance for private cars should be increased to the equivalent of 320 miles a month. It is also asked that all users should be granted the right to accumulate their coupons for a period of at least two months for vacations and other purposes, and that the allowance granted to taxis and other commercial users should also be increased. An announcement that some increase will be granted in November is made alse\yhere in this issue. The reasons given by the Federation are as follows:

1. There is no shortage of petrol -—there is actually a surplus on the world’s markets.

2. There are plenty of tankers to bring it to New Zealand. 3. The petrol used in motor cars and trucks is not used in fighter and bomber aircraft, which can only use so-called “Aviation Fuel.” 4. Restrictions in New Zealand are more severe than in England, and New Zealand petrol allowances are less than half those which Australia proposes to bring into force on October Ist.

5. No other British Dominion has so far introduced any restrictions of any kind.

6. There is, insofar as we can ascertain, no restriction of petrol in any of the Grown Colonies, all of which are administered by the United Kingdom Government itself. 7. In cases of emergency the Government has the power and could, at a moment’s notice, Close every petrol pump, thus conserving every gallon in the community for defence purposes.

8. The Dominion imports 60 per cent of its petrol supplies from the Netherlands East Indies which has joined the sterling block. 9. The suggested scale of rationing would involve an additional expenditure outside New Zealand of no more than £320,000 sterling in a full year. If conservation of sterling exchange is the reason, there are many things which could more readily be sacrificed with less hardship to the public and dislocation business.

10. Every time the motorist buys a gallon of petrol 1/2+ of the retail price is paid direct to the Government.

11. In reducing consumption by

30 million gallons of petrol a year under the present drastic restrictions, the Minister of Finance is losing in petrol tax alone £1,737,000.

12. In 1939 over £6,263,397 was collected in motor taxation. Continued drastic restrictions will reduce this sum considerably. Such loss of revenue, must, of necessity, be offset by increased taxation or by the continuing burden of additional loans.

13. In addition to the immediate benefits to be sustained by business and motorists generally through the proposed relaxation of the restrictions, the Government would, at a cost of £320,000 sterling in overseas expenditure, receive in petrol taxation alone an additional £735,000. 14. Unnecessarily severe petrol restrictions cause undue hardship and loss to workers, business, and Government.

15. The impact of these petrol restrictions on the workers is reflected in the representations made to the Government by Unions covering the motor industry and allied trades pointing out the serious nature of the loss of employment already sustained and the dangerous probability of still more widespread loss of employment in the industry. 16. Transportation is the lifeblood of modern industry and commence. New Zealand industries, the hotel business, country shops, and practically every other business in the Dominion are all in some way affected by the restrictive effect of small petrol allowances. 17. This adverse effect on business is doubly unfortunate at this time because our purchasing powers are restricted, due to the constricting effect of petrol restrictions on our internal trade. “Business as usual” is an essential factor in keeping the Dominion economically sound. 18. The present petrol rations have partially immobilised and rendered ineffective an enormous productive investment in motor cars and trucks. 19. In any improving business, stocks held and quantities imported are closely related to the rate of sale. Continued severe restrictions on the sale of petrol must eventually be reflected by a reduction of petrol stocks held in this country. 20. The motor trade has already provided a very large number of mechanics for the army and the mechanised forces, and these men must be given jobs when the war is over. This can only be done if the individual motor business can survive.

Heartening News. —A very heartening cablegram has been received by the representatives in Christchurch of a London commercial firm. “Notwithstanding the annoyance of enemy bombings, London business is proceeding almost normally,” states th‘e message. “Advise customers that we are fully able to deliver all orders. This firm has its headquarters close to St. Paul’s Cathedral.

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