NOT JUSTIFIED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 225, 21 September 1940, Page 6

NOT JUSTIFIED.

ADVERSE CRITICISM. Sf.Z. OIL FUEL POLICY. WELLINGTON, Friday. The Minister of Finance, the Hon. Walter Nash, in a long statement issued to-day, reviewing the petrol restrictions, declared that the belief which appeared to be held among motorists and organisations associated with the motor industry, that the Government had been harsh and unjust in restricting the use of petrol, was not justified by the facts.

"If our stocks of petrol get low, we cannot be sure of replenishing them at a moment's notice. Oil tankers are not waiting at our beck and call. They also run the risk of enemy action at sea," said the Minister.

"The State does not possess vast reservoirs of petrol which can be kept intact for defence purposes. It is regrettable that the protests against the restrictions have warmed up to resentment, and a sense of injustice for which there is no valid reason. It would be helping the enemy," Mr. Nash added, "to give detailed information about petrol reserves and requirements."

The Minister frankly admitted that the restrictions this year had caused material loss and inconvenience to many people. It had been shown beyond dispute that the motor industry had been hit heavily, but every restriction imposed had been weighed in the balance of national needs.

The needs of conserving dollar exchange must remain paramount in order to avoid embarrassing Britain. When it was suggested in New Zealand that increased supplies could be obtained from the Dutch East Indies, which was inside the sterling area, the British Government had cabled a reply that it still desiVed New Zealand to restrict.

Mr. Nash reiterated, that the Governwould take steps to investigate the position of the motor industry and its employees and ameliorate any hardship. When defence requirements were fiiiiy met allocations could be adjusted.— (Press Assn.)