PETROL ECONOMY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 84, Issue 16, 19 January 1940, Page 4

PETROL ECONOMY

RATIONING SUPPLIES REINTRODUCTION EXPECTED THIS MONTH EFFECT ON HOLIDAY TRAFFIC The likelihood of restrictions on tne use of petrol being reimposed at an early date is having an effect on the number of motorists making long holiday tours. Many motorists are afraid to venture too far away from home unless they are caught by the restrictions although provision would be made to meet such cases. The general opinion among motorists is that the restrictions will be more severe than those which operated from early in September until the end of November. Eight gallons a month for light cars and 12 gallons for heavy vehicles will be allowed, according to rumour. When the restriction was lifted at the beginning of December, motorists wore advised to keep the coupons which had been issued to them as it, was likely that they would be wanted again. It was also stated at the time that, petrol licences also were to he kept for further use. Although there has been no restriction on the sale of petrol since December 1, several appeals have been made to motorists to economise as much as possible. Commercial vehicles were provided during the last restriction with what was considered an adequate supply and with the further reduction of the supply to private owners more fuel will be available for the essential commercial cars and lorries when the restrictions apply again. The effect of the increases in the charge for petrol were evident during the holiday period in the decreased number of cars on the road. The Centennial Exhibition at Wellington took a large number of tourists away from the holiday resorts but the higher charge of fuel made it necessary for motorists with families to curtail their travelling. A forestry look-out on the Rainbow Mountain on the Taupo-Rotorua Road recently reported that the volume of traffic at Christmas was about half of that of the previous Christmas.