SUPPORT OF MOTORISTS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 70, Issue 101, 11 February 1950, Page 5

SUPPORT OF MOTORISTS

LABOUR PARTY’S BID

DEPENDENCE ON DOLLAR (N.Z.P. A.-Reuter—Copyright). (Rec. 11.25 a.rm) LONDON, Feb. 10. The Labour Party to-night made a counterbid for the support of Britain’s motorists, following Mr Churchill’s pledge that the Conservatives would try to ease petrol rationing. The Fuel Minister, Mr Hugh Gaitskell, itold an election meeting that “if the dollar position improves steadily, the prospects of an increased petrol ration are not bad. At the moment discussions are going on in Washington to try to negotiate extra petrol without spending dollars. This will not be easy but we shall do our best. Meanwhile Ave do not intend to increase the petrol ration at the expense of full employment or essential foods.” The Minister added that petrol and oil cost the sterling area over 600,000,000 dollars yearly and the consumption for essential needs was increasing. To provide unrationed petrol would probably cost an extra 40,000,000 to 50,000,000 dollars. The Government could lift rationing, if it was prepared to let higher prices keep down consumption. Prices on the Continent indicated that the price Avould settle, in Britain, at about 6s to 7s per gallon, if petrol Avas released from control. At Liverpoor, Mr Attlee said that petrol cost dollars, so that more petrol meant less food or raw; materials. Mr Churchill’s statement was just' another little bit of windOAV dressing, he added. .