PETROL LICENCES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 296, 16 December 1941, Page 4

PETROL LICENCES

NO SUPPLIES FOR PRIVATE OR BUSINESS CARS LOCAL STAFF’S SMART WORK A large staff worked form 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday and again worked i overtime yesterday to revise petrol , licences as a result of the recalling of | these licences on Saturday afternoon. The Wanganui District Oil Fuel Controller. Mr. D. R. McCowatt. stated yesterday that such good progress had been made that the office would commence at 9 o’clock this morning to reissue licences to those entitled to receive them A large percentage of licence-hold-ers will find that their licences to purchase petrol have been cancelled, business and private motor-cars being affected. With the suspension of the coupon system indefinite!}, motorists will thus be unable to replenish supplies. Farmers will find their car allowances cut by 50 per cent, but they will be able to secure two-thirds of their usual supplies of petrol lor farm machines.

Bakers, butchers, milk vendors and wood and coal operators have not had their petrol allocations reduced as a result of the latest cut. and these licences will be re-issued this morning. Grocers have had a 50 per cent, reduction of their licences endorsed. Carriers for goods services and area operators have had their allocations reduced by nne-third. as also have Governmeht and local bodies.

Privately-owned lorries will have tn do on 50 per cent, of their usual supplies. but rental cars will have no supplies whatever. In the case of service cars and buses the reduction amounts to one-third of the allocation, but route operators have had no reduction in their supplies. The petrol ration for taxis hx» been fixed at 75 monthly for cars running a single shift <da> or night) and I2u gallons for the double shift, covering 24 hour* daily. Prior to this cut the taxis were drawing 110 and 180 gallons on the respective shifts.

A feature of the alterations made is the fact that the staff, working long hours, has been able, on short notice.

to deal with all licences within 48 hours from the first notification on Saturday evening—and that in spite of having their usual work to do in addition. It has been a commendable effort and has caused very little dislocation. FOR MILKING MACHINES St PPIJES FOR FARMERS AVAILABLE (Press Assn.) Wellington. Dec. 15. “There is a good deal of apprehension about the cut in petrol for milking machines.” said Mr. A. P. O’Shea, secretary of the Farmers’ Union, today. He said he had discussed the position with the Oil Fuel Controller, who had informed him that the cut in milking-machine petrol had been made in order to enable a complete check to be made on the consumption on farms. Hp had received an assurance from the Controller that all petrol required for milking machines would be made available and Mr. O’Shea, therefore, advised farmers whose allowance for milking machines was inadequate to apply immediately to have their cases reviewed.