“PLEASE EXPLAIN”

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21199, 23 August 1940, Page 7

“PLEASE EXPLAIN”

MOTORISTS’ PETROL SUBURBAN ROAD TRAVEL LETTERS FROM CONTROLLER (By Telegraph.—Press Association) WELLINGTON, Thursday Motorists using the Hutt Road more or less regularly are being noted by inspectors and asked by letter from the sub-district oil fuel controller to explain the source of their petrol supplies. The executive of the Wellington Motor Trade Association decided to bring this to the notice of the oil fuel controller, and to ask him to state the authority under which it was being done. A copy of a letter from the Wellington sub-district oil fuel controller reading as follows was placed before the meeting: “I have to advise that on several occasions recently your car, No. , was observed travelling on the Hutt Road between Lower Hutt and Wellington during the hours of 7 a.m. and 9.15 a.m. It would appear, therefore, that the vehicle is being used for the purpose of conveyance between your residence and place of business. I shall be glad, therefore, to be informed whether such is the position and, if so, to be advised as to how sufficient oil fuel is being obtained to enable this running to be done.” Interchange of Coupons It was recalled that a statement had been made officially that the interchange of petrol coupons among motorists was approved, so that one car might do more than the average amount of running that the ration allowed. The opinion that the restrictions were drastic enough in themselves and that there was no need to harass motorists further was expressed.

It was the general opinion of the meeting that, if there is to be rationing of petrol, there should be no need for the Government to call for voluntary rationing as well. There should be either conscription or voluntary effort, it was said, for the two did not mix, either in petrol conservation or personal service.

The statement on the petrol restrictions issued by the New Zealand Motor Trade Federation was endorsed and it was decided that the plea of the federation for an easing of the restrictions should be supported. Wellington members of Parliament are to be asked to discuss the position with the association’s representatives. POOLING PROPOSAL EXTRA FOR STORAGE (By Telegraph.—special to Times) HASTINGS, Thursday In an endeavour to obtain increases in the monthly allowances of petrol to all classes of motorists, the Automobile Association (Hawke’s Bay) has resolved to forward a remit to the annual conference of the Automobile Association of New Zealand at Auckland next week emphasising the seriousness of the position and urging that action be taken. It was pointed out that if New Zealand pooled petrol of first and second grades a great saving could be effected in overhead charges, and some 5,000,000, extra gallons could be stored throughout New Zealand in tanks not being used by service stations. This pooled petrol was no new idea, as it had been in effect in England since the beginning of the war, with an enormous saving for war purposes and a more fair distribution to motorists. It would mean simply that each service station would have two pumps, of first and second grade, and other underground tanks could be used for storage. This, it was considered, should obviate any possible necessity for stringent restriction.

EFFECT ON INDUSTRY MANUFACTURERS’ CONCERN (By Telegraph.—Press Association) WELLINGTON, Thursday Concern at the effect on the industrial life of the community of the recent further reductions in petrol allocations for commercial purposes was expressed at the monthly meeting of the council of the Wellington Manufacturers* Association. A subcommittee was appointed to collaborate with the New Zealand Manufacturers’ Federation in an approach to the Government for immediate relief from the present restrictions. Members considered that these, if maintained, would inevitably result in decreased production from manufacturing units.