RATIONING OF TYRES MUST BE CONTINUED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 90, Issue 167, 20 July 1946, Page 5

RATIONING OF TYRES MUST BE CONTINUED

NOT SUFFICIENT YET FOR REQUIREMENTS (P.A.) Parliament Bldgs., July 19. 4in erroneous impression existed among a section of motor-vehicle users that suflicient tyres were available in New Zealand at present to warrant the removal of certain sizes from rationing controls, said the Minister of Supply, Mr. Sullivan, to-night. He added that the impression had been inspired largely because of improvements in overseas shipments, but the actual position was that the quantities in types and sizes which had come forward so far were not nearly sufficient to meet requirements under rationing.

“It should be realised that there are more than 150 types and sizes of tyres required to meet the needs of 300,000 licensed vehicles,” said Mr. Sullivan. While New Zealand had been allocated a substantial portion of the United Kingdom's export quota, this would not allow rationing to be lifted. Australia, from whom New Zealand obtained lite bulk of its tyres, was not yet in a position to increase her export quota. A limited supply had been obtained from Canada, and the trade was making inquiries in the United

“Tile Government has no intention of maintaining tyre rationing a day longer than is absolutely necessary,” said the Minister. The trade was kept constantly Informed of the situation, it was possible to increase district quotas in certain sizes for July, and llic Minister gave his assurance that as supplies became more plentiful the district quotas would be increased accordingly.