Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1950. PETROL RATIONING

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 70, Issue 105, 16 February 1950, Page 4

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1950. PETROL RATIONING

When Australia last week announced the end of petrol rationing, grave fears were expressed in Britain concerning the move, it being felt that once one member of the sterling area, took the step others would follow, to tlhe detriment of all efforts (being made to conserve dollars. Unfortunately the matter has become something of an election issue, and both sides are making the most of the situation. For the Conservatives, Mr Churchill has promised motorists that they will do all they can to ease the position, while Labour speakers on the other hand, are making strenuous efforts to retain motorists’ votes. Mr Attlee has said, that he will make no promises' whatever, but Mr Hugh Gaitskell, the Fuel Minister, told an election meeting that “if the dollar position improves steadily, 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 we do not intend to increase the petrol ration at the expense of full employment or essential foods.” In announcing its decision to end petrol rationing, the Australian Government said that . the decision would not affect the country’s plans and policy for overall economies in the use of but it is difficult to see flow the abolition of petrol rationing can be reconciled with this statement. Britain’s concern has been to limit tlhe amount of dollars spent by the sterling area as a whole in accordance with the arrangements made at the meeting, .of Commonwealth Fj nance. Ministers last July. While New ’Zealand has said that there can be no. change* at the moment in the petrol situation, other members of the Commonwealth may feel justified in following Australia s lead.. Mr Gaitskell said that essential foodstuffs must come first, and there can be no improvement in that direction if dollars aie made available for petrol. I here is a very definite need for a continuance of economy in dollar expenditure, and that has been one of the main lines followed by the Labour Party in answering Conservative promises in the election campaign. Australia has the right to please herself what action she takes, but it can hardly be said that the decision is in keeping with the decisions of the Finance Ministers’ Conference last year.