PETROL PROSPECTS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 88, Issue 203, 25 August 1944, Page 3

PETROL PROSPECTS

COMMENT BY CONTROLLER (P.A.) Wellington, Aug. 24. When the war in Europe ended some relaxation in the general oil fuel position seemed almost inevitable, said the Chief Oil Fuel Controller and Commissioner of Transport, Mr. G. L. Laurenson, in commenting at New Plymouth upon the petrol and tyre situation. The changes that New Zealand would share in the additional supplies would be good. While the fighting continued in any quarter of the globe certain restrictions, based upon the demands of the Armed Forces, must, however, remain. The petrol requirements in Europe for the operations in progress in France were immense, Mr. Laurenson pointed out, and as long as those demands had to be met it was inevitable that restricted supplies only would be available for civilian consumption. Coupled with the petrol supply situation was the shortage of raw rubber. Mr. Laurenson said that when in Australia recently he was told by the Federal Supply Minister, Mr. J. A. Beasley, who had returned from the United States, that synthetic rubber was not yet sufficiently developed for use in heavy duty tyres. Before the war 90 per cent, of the Dominion rubber requirements were met by the production of Malaya. Until Malaya was freed no_ great improvement could be expected.