“NOW AN ‘OPEN SLATHER’,” SAYS MOTORISTS’ CHAIRMAN

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 90, Issue 117, 22 May 1946, Page 5

“NOW AN ‘OPEN SLATHER’,” SAYS MOTORISTS’ CHAIRMAN

(P.A.) Wellington, May 21. “In my capacity as chairman of the Automobile Association, I have been besieged by expectant motorists inquiring whether this good news can really be true,” said Mr. E. A. Batt, commenting to-day on a statement by the Minister of Supply regarding the abolition of petrol coupons. "This caused me to make the fullest inquiries as to what the proposals actually represent to a motor vehicle operator.” Mr. Batt added; "It would appear, from the statement made by the Minister, that there still is to be rationing, but it will be the responsibility of the oil companies. This, in effect, means that there is definitely a limit to the amount of extra consumption that has been agreed upon by the British Government with the New Zealand Minister of Finance in London.

“In the absence of an equitable apportionment, per medium of the coupon system, or some other system of equitable rationing, the question immediately arises, will ihe more enterprising, and one might say greedy, consumer make a very strong raid upon the available supplies, even per-

haps to the extent of storing surplus requirements, while another section of petrol consumers would be expected to buy from time to time, according to their means, and current requirements?

“There apparently are these two classes, and always have been since rationing was first introduced. The nett result is, there would be a very large section of consumers who would have to go without their necessary supplies, owing to the limit of distribution of a month's quota having been reached. Can it be assumed that the retailer, as has been experienced in relation to other essential commodities in short supply, may lavour his best customers to the detriment of other users?

"The fact remains that the overall supply of petrol to New Zealand is still rationed and limited. Human nature, being -. hat it is, and there being no control of consumption by individual users, ran there be any assurance that the first in won’t exhause the supply This very possibility is one thing which is likely to create a rush. It appears to be an open slather, nut on a limited quantity, and who, and how many, are going to be left out?"