BICYCLE TIRES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 June 1942, Page 2

BICYCLE TIRES

SUPPLY TO BE NARROWLY RESTRICTED NEED OF CONSERVING ALL SUPPLIES OF RUBBER. EMPHASISED BY MINISTER. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. “After the bicycle tires now in use are worn out, tires will be made available only to those who can prove that cycling is their only means of getting to their place of work or education. This was made clear in a statement by the Minister of Supply, Mr D. G. Sullivan, who urged the need for New Zealanders to conserve all possible supplies of rubber and to buy only their immediate and essential requirements. “A scheme is being worked out to provide cycle tires in cases where no other transport to the place of employment or education is available,” said Mr Sullivan. “Tires for cycling for pleasure, or for cycling when other kinds of transport are available, will not be possible. lam sorry to say that the gravity of the situation cannot be overstressed. It would be impossible to over-emphasise the necessity for the maximum conservation of rubber. Use of available supplies for only vitally essential purposes, and even then on a greatly reduced scale as compared with normal consumption, is the best we can expect. I regret to say that ■there seems to be a tendency on the part of some farmers to hoard milking machine rubber ware. Let me say with emphasis that such action is inimical to the best interests of the’ country. It is retarding production and so curtailing our ability to meet the needs of Great Britain. Any cases disclosed will be dealt with in terms of the Emergency Regulations Act. New Zealand will be able to carry on with reasonable efficiency if users of rubber* ware will be content to purchase only immediate and essential requirements and that applies to all sections of the community. Conservation to the utmost degree possible must be the basis on which rubber is used. Care of existing installations, to ensure maximum wear, is imperative.”