PETROL RATIONS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 August 1940, Page 6

PETROL RATIONS

POSITION IN AUSTRALIA FORTY MILES A WEEK FOR PRIVATE CARS. ALLOWANCES FOR OTHER VEHICLES. Private motorists will be limited to a mileage of 40 week under the petrol rationing scheme, details Qf which were announced by the Minister for Supply. Sir Frederick Stewart, on July 11. and which, it is believed, will come into operation on September 1. For private vehicles the annual mileage range is 2.000 miles, and for commercial vehicles from 2,500 to 15.000 miles. The scales that have been adopted will be subject to adjustment in the light of experience, or if there is any alteration in the oversea situation. To allocate rationing scales, road vehicles have been divided into categories—private ears and commercial vehicles under SOcwt capacity, and commercial vehicles of 30cwt capacity apd more. Each of these categories has been further subdivided according to the type of use to which the vehicle is put. and the ration is allotted accordingly.

Rationing scales have been fixed with the intention of allowing each class of vehicle equivalent mileage. Private cars and vehicles under 30 cwt capacity have been' divided into the following five classes, according to their use: (1) Private; (2) 50 per cent business use and under; (3) over 50 per cent business use; (4) business wholly; (5> special business. Motor cycles will be rationed as for cars up to 8 horse-power. The allowance for private vehicles used in business will not cover travelling between residence and place of business. Following the British system. such travelling will form part of the uses of the basic ration.

The special business classification will be approved only in eases where large mileages are run in the ordinary course of business. This classification will apply to a limited class of users whose business carries them into outback areas, and. who at present average between 25.0(10 and 30.001) miles a year. For commercial vehicles (30cwt capacity and more' seven classifications have been made with varying rations, according to capacity within the class. The classes tire: Farm vehicles (2.500 miles a year). Farm vehicles where special consideration exists to justify the extra quantity (3.500 miles). Suburban retail delivery; country users carrying their own goods: retail delivery in country (5.000 miles'. Urban retail delivery; urban users carrying their own goods—wholesalers, factories, etc. 17.500 miles). Hire and award carriers, city and country, tipping trucks, sand metal, etc. (9.000 miles'. Heavy hire and award carriers, special carrying, etc. 112.000 miles'. Cases not elsewhere included, for special consideration, the necessity for which must be established to the satisfaction of the Slate transport authority (15.000 miles). Special classes within the commercial category will be rationed in such a manner as will enable them to ful-

til their legitimate functions. These will include: Farm machinery, roadmaking machines, and stationary engines. launches for carriage of goods, or persons on. business, and those used by professional fishermen supplying fish to markets, and professional fishermen taking out pleasure parties.