NO CHANGE

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21358, 28 February 1941, Page 7

NO CHANGE

PETROL RATION MARCH-APRIL COUPONS POSSIBLE CUT LATER (By Telegraph.—Press Association) WELLINGTON, Thursday “Five petrol coupons, numbered 22, 23, 24, 25 and 26 will be available to motorists for the months of March and April,” said the Minister of Supply, the Kon. D. G. Sullivan, tonight. “This is on the same basis as for January and February. “The petrol position is causing the Government grave concern,” said the Minister, “and although we are making the same amount of petrol available to motorists in March and April as we did in January and February, the Government feels it is necessary to warn all petrol users of the urgency of the demand both here and overseas and to appeal for the utmost possible economy in petrol consumption during the next few months. “Intensified conservation of petrol is now more than ever a matter of immediate importance to the security of the State in New Zealand. Information gained as a result of our close and continuous consultation with the United Kingdom on this matter leaves no doubt whatever as to the opinion of the British Government that we can materially assist their war effprt by reducing petrol consumption during the next few months. Position Serious “We have no desire to impose unnecessary restrictions. Indeed, we will do all possible to make available as much petrol as possible, but the position is unquestionably serious. Unless there is a material improvement in the petrol situation during March and April it is very probable that it will be necessary to make a reduction in petrol consumption at the beginning of May. In fact, any serious dislocation of shipping in the Pacific will make an immediate review of the position necessary. “Therefore, I sincerely appeal to all motorists, whether license holders or coupon users, to exercise the greatest possible economy in the use of petrol, to assist the war effort by conserving petrol, to eliminate all unnecessary running, and if it is not essential to use coupons to destroy them. Do not transfer coupons to friends. “It is equally important that all waste arising from overlapping in the delivery of commodities be eliminated or substantially reduced. Unless the community heeds this request,” Mr Sullivan concluded, the petrol position will become alarming within the next two months.”