MOTOR UNION SUPPORTS NEW PETROL POLICY

Chronicle (Levin), 30 May 1946, Page 6

MOTOR UNION SUPPORTS NEW PETROL POLICY

SUFFICIENT SUPPLIES FOR ALL PRESENT NEEDS With a resolution expressing appreciation of the extent to which the Xlinister of Supply (Hon. D. G. Sullivan) had complied with the union's repeated requests to remove restrictions, and the hope that in the near future all restrictions on the sale of petrol would be entirely lifted, the N.I.M.U. at its quarterly conference in Palmerston Norfh yesterday endorsed the action of the Government in abolishing the coupon system for petrol purchases. The union took the view that the petrol now released would prove ample for all motorists.' Iiresent needs. ' ■ Mr. R. W. Roydliouse (Wairarapa) presided, and there were present Messrs. W. H. Brown, T. M. N. Rodgers (Xlanawatu), F. G. Farrell, A. A. JDignan, G. W. Hutchison, A. Grayson, XI. H. Wynyard (Auckland), Dr. E. E. Porritt, F. J. Hill, L. Clarke (Wanganui), P. W. Breen (Eouth' Island Xlotor Union), N. C. C. Shepkerd, H. E.-. Jackson (Wairarapa), C. V. Freedman (Hawke's Bay), XV. A. Sutherland, E. Palliser (Wellington), D. J. Bayley (fclouth Taranaki), N. F. Little, V. Duif (Taranaki), H. R. Xlaucer (Hawera, secretary). Because of the immediate interest in the relaxiug of jietrol controls, this subjeot was placed iirst on the heavy agenda. "I do not think that the petrol supply in this country is sulhciently bad to warrant anyone suggesting that the new system of purehaso will develop a black market in the produot," said Xlr. Roydhouse, who instanced the records of two garages which sliowed that thcir output of petrol in 1939 was the same as at the iiresent timo. He took strongly to taslc Xlr. E. A. Batt, chairman of the WeUington A.A., for his statenient published in the press attackiug the Xlinister 's announcemeiit of the relaxation of petrol rationing. "Mr. Batt's comuients, given as an individual, were ill-timed and unfouiided, " said Xlr. Roydhouse. "His views were coutrary to what the union has been iighting for over a loug period." Xlr. Farrell reported on a recent interview with the Commissioner of Transport (Xlr. Laurenson), when the latter had given an assurance that there was suliicient petrol to .nieet motorists ' requireineuts. "Xlr. Laurenson toid me that the petrol consuiuption was 7,000,000 gullons a month, or 84,000,000 gallons annually, wliile in the peak year of 1938 it had been 108,000,000 gallons," said Xlr. Farrell. "He said there was three months' supply of petrol 011 liand in the country, with more to eome. Provided motorists did not resort to hoardiug there could be ample for everyone. ' ' In repiy to a direetion, said Xlr. Farrell, he had been told by Mr. Laurenson that if the United Ulates loan to Britain M'as approved, and the dollar became "free," New Zealarnl would be ablc to secure suliicient petrol from Amcrican sources to enable all restrictions to be lifted. Xlr. Rodgers said that, altliough the jietrol available might be available for ! present needs, tkey hoped to have a j greater allocation of tyrcs later in the { year and more petrol would be needed during the summer months. Xlr. Roydhouse: That is six months away. Conditious might be materially altered then. The resolution, to be forwarded to the Xlinister of Supply, was unanimously carried.