USE LESS PETROL AND "AID FOR BRITAIN"

Waikato Independent, Volume XLIV, Issue 108, 1 October 1947, Page 4

USE LESS PETROL AND "AID FOR BRITAIN"

THE EDITOR'S COMMENT.

In addition to a sustained and concentrated effort on our part to provide more foodstuffs, there is one easy way in which New Zealanders can really help the Old Country in this time of financial and general economic crisis, and that is by using less petrol, i . Sometime ago it was announced that a saving in the use of petrol would help in the dollar aspect; but apparently the response of the Dominion motorist was not that anticipated. Recently motorists were warned that if voluntary savings were not sufficient then a return to compulsory rationing might be necessary. Surely we know by now that compulsory restrictions are irksome ail the. time they are applied, whether they concern the use of petrol or the right of any individual to pursue some desired course of action. New Zealanders in the past, have shown in many ways in the development of this country that they prefer voluntary impositions based on community co-operation and joint responsibility, rather than suffer the regimentation of mandatory officialdom. Particularly of later years has it been noticeable there appears to be a greatly increased attitude of self first. We see it to-day in many aspects of community association, that is apart from commercial and industrial relationships. But New,'Zealanders must surely not fail with its general campaign of "Aid For Britain" and saving of petrol is definitely a part of it. The saving asked for is only 10 per cent., and if every motorist uses his car just a little less each week then the objective would be more than reached. It is inevitable that if compulsion has to be introduced the burden will fall the hardest on the private motorist and that the cut will be more than 10 per nect. If this happens then holiday motoring this Summer will be severely restricted, the black market in petrol will again rear its head, and all the annoying features of the coupon system will return. If compulsion does have to be brought in again, how long will it last? The guess of one private motorist is as good as the next. Viewed, in this light then the private motorist will be foolish if he does j not make a real effort to economise I now. the end of October is the dead - i line so in connection with petrol a I lesser of two evils can be chosen as jit effects the individual and a real I contribution can be 1 made to the overj all "Aid For Britain" campaign.