CONSERVATION OF TYRES

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 121, 25 May 1942, Page 4

CONSERVATION OF TYRES

CHORTAGE of petrol has hit the motorist. Shortage of tyres will have a wider effect; It will be felt by the whole community in restrictions upon travel, deliveries, cartage and in the lessened opportunity for securing taxis in time of necessity. The Minister of Supply, Mr. Sullivan declares that it is the national duty of every New Zealander to help make a success of the plans to organise deliveries so that the barest margin of tyres and of petrol may be used. The average citizen can do very little in this direction, but Mr. Sullivan suggests that he can co-operate by showing forbearance in the acceptance of limitations of choice in such matters of daily importance as milk, meat and bread when those limitations are Imposed for the saving of manpower, tyres and petrol. As a matter of fact, the restrictions already imposed have been accepted with a minimum of either criticism or grumbling and the people continue to accept them In this spirit despite their recognition of the fact that the shortage does not date from the outbreak of war but began much further back when Import restrictions imposed enormous cuts upon the stocks of tyres available in New Zealand, and that later opportunities to bring In further shipments were lost. We are a forffi g J eo^i?'. how r er ,'. a " d J Mr * Sullivan, in asking that the democratic k!5«. ? i 1 be limited to suggestions for improvement, should be grateful for the spirit in which consumers have faced up to shortages to war conditions. Some suggestions to the man in the S , th Ar ,an u n . er ln .. w I hich he can help, apart from the negative attitude of taking his medicine without a grimace, would be helpful. The Auckland Transport Licensing Authority, Mr. E. J. Phelan, has thrown °v? e i?"u y indicating a possible curtailment in road services. If this ?•m u become necessary it is to be hoped that a very wise discretion ♦hi ln enforcing It. Many farmers and other dwellers in areaa a |" e isolated; their only means, in many cases, of ?£.' ap 7. requirements and of getting relief from the monotony m*ntl iP r °»y dby th e road services, and serious curtail♦ht »i? a m s i y b ® v - ry oppressive. The tyre shortage affects i!? ?! u i filled war effort; it Is beginning to be felt as severely States as It Is here. It will steadily grow more acute as tyres wear out, and instead of asking the people to accept grumbling piecemeal restrictions which may prove quite nlnn ?or thi #be better jf , the Government developed a long-term the?r effect? rubber and let everybody know its intentions and