PETROL RESTRICTIONS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 122, 12 February 1940, Page 5

PETROL RESTRICTIONS

FARMERS WANT FURTHER ALLOWANCE

DEPRIVED OF HOLIDAYS

The all-important question of benzine allowances was discussed from every aspect at the Bay of Plenty Sub-Provincial Executive of the Farmers* Union meeting held in St. Andrews' Hall, Te. Puke, on Thursday. The point arose when the following remit "that representations be made to the Oil Fuel Controller for special benzine permits for farmers to enable them to visit the Centennial Exhibition," Avas put before the meeting from the Opotiki branch. The Opotiki delegate, Mr Thompson, explained that many farmers in his district considered that the city and tqwn worker had been able to score a distinct advantage over the farmer inasmuch as they had been able to have their holidays during an unrestricted period while the farmer was at the height of his busy season, and naturally had not been in a position to leave his farm. Entitled to Holiday. Mr Dunning, of the Rangitaiki branch, considered that even though the farmers did not wish to visit tjie exhibition, they were at least entitled to some form of holiday during the off-season. The point was then raised as to the closing the Exhibition, and the chairman, Mr A. Martin, of Opotiki, considered and recommended t\hat the months of Aprils May and June be considered as the holiday months for the farming community. The discussion then extended to the restrictions generally, particularly in certain areas, ancl Mr H. Angus, of Tauranga who is also the Farmers' Union representative on the Oil Fuel advisory Committee at Tauranga, explained schemes which had been formulated by the council, but had been considerably altered with the return to duty of the postmaster who had been away on leave of absence. Several. Tauranga and district farmers who were present at the meeting, told how their benzine applications had been refus? ed., leaving them to solely rely on the coupons, which the nleeting con sidered were largely intended for pleasure purposes. Recommendation to Committee. The various delegates considered it both unfair and unequitable that requests for thi<s essential of modern civilisation relied, as one speaker put itj entirely "on the state of the liver'" of the postmaster of that particular district

The chairman considered and moved that the following recommendation be considered by the Auckland Executive to put before the Oil Fuel Controller: "That farmers should receive an additional allowance of benzine over and above their coupons, graded on the distance they live from the town to enable them to pay twovisits to the town during each wek" The remit f\vas discussed and many points of view were raised, but Mr Fairburn. secretary to the meeting, pointed out that the differences were occurring in the district Avere largely due to the interpretation placed upon the regulations by the postmaster of each district. This viewpoint was incorporated in the remit; to be studied by the Auckland executive, and was unanimously adopted by the meeting.