FUEL “FIASCO”

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 115, 19 May 1942, Page 5

FUEL “FIASCO”

RATIONING IN BRITAIN ‘TORY PARTY” DISAPPROVAL MUNITION FACTORIES OR PUBLIC? (Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.) London, May 17. The word “fiasco” is being applied to the fuei-rationiong scheme, which, after three weeks of discussion in the House of Commons and the Press, has now been deferred until after the Whitsun recess. But there is a possibility of something more near a fiasco: it may result in a strong reaction against those responsible for (lie deferment if the present indecision results in a fuel shortage and hardship next winter. : Brieny, this is me position: ine Government declared ihai mei rationing was necessary and asxed Bir - vv Jiliam BtweliUge to produce a scheme, wnicii ne did. The Ministers approved it, but me Conservative committee ot 1922, wnicii is described as 1 “the core oi the 'lory Party,” disapproved. The Observer says: "Tne Government, unpersuudea oy the debate on the floor oi tne House, but intimidated oy a parly meeting upstairs, tnrusl j tne wnole thing back in the melting ’ pot, announcing that it would pro--1 (iuce a new and more voluminous scheme enwracing not only iuei consumption but ’organisation of the inJ dustry’ alter the recess.” Responsible opinion considers that ’ while it is good news that the Govern- , ment intends to deal with the coal ; problem as a whole, to promote eftici- ’ ency, it is very bad news that ration- . ing is correspondingly delayed. ) The Economist says: “It is very bad news that the Government is likely to defer its decision on the kipd . of rationing to be adopted to the > views of a phalanx of Conservative ! backbenchers, who include some of the most unprincipled and unintelligent, and most arrogantly opinionated > Opposition members this House of , Commons has witnessed. Every item . of sordid and disingenuous criticism that has clogged Parliament and Press > for three weeks has strengthened Sir William Beveridge’s original case.” One of the reasons why fuel should be cut is in order to meet the needs of the increasingly numerous munition factories. I It is understood that for Sir William Beveridge’s scheme to be effective it should be in operation by June 1, but whether that Is now likely seems doubtful. Therefore, there is the possibility that either the public or the factories will go short t next winter; if it is the public, the reaction against those causing the muddle can be taken for granted; if it is lhe factories, then war production will suffer. It is certain that the Government's announcement after Whitsun will be awrited with impatience.