FARMERS’ CARTAGE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 32, 7 February 1941, Page 6

FARMERS’ CARTAGE

PETROL ALLOWANCE QUESTION PROTEST TO OIL CONTROLLER. NEW PLYMOUTH. Feb. 3. In reply to a protest against any interference of the right of farmers to cart their own produce unless a substantial saving of petrol could be assured, the oil fuel controller fully explained the position, a copy of his letter being presented at the monthly meeting of the Taranaki County Council to-day. “I desire to say,” wrote the controller, “that farmers carting their own goods are exempt from the transport licensing legislation. The ordinary road traffic laws and regulations apply, but I take it that your representations relate to the petrol allowance granted to farmers.” In this connection it was stated that it was a cardinal principle of the petrol rationing system that farmers reserve adequate allowances to enable the level of national production to be fully maintained. The local controllers were assisted by representative local advisory committees, which included representatives from the farming community, whose advice was followed in connection with applications from farmers. Generally speaking the explanation concluded, the policy was to allow farmers sufficient petrol to cart their own goods, except in cases where the use of public transport services would result in obvious savings in petrol and truck usage.