GOVERNMENT ACCUSED OF NOT SAVING PETROL

Chronicle (Levin), 30 October 1947, Page 5

GOVERNMENT ACCUSED OF NOT SAVING PETROL

WELLINGTON, Oct. 29. Motorists were being exhorted to save petrol, but he could not think tlie Government was sincere, said Mr. L. Jones at the annual meeting of the Wellington Automobile Association lasl night. Mr. Jones mentioned in particular newspaper reports that because of the weather an air pageant at Paraparaumu had been cancelled, and that members of Parliament from both sides of the Ilouse had travelled north to a Maori function by car. The wav Government offlcials were using petrol and Mmisters of the Crown were tlying up and down the country was making people bitter, he said. His invn car, Mr. Jones said, had not been out of ttie garage during tlie weekend. It was a -business car and was seldom on the road for any other purpose. He asked the chairman of the Association ('ounc.il, Mr. E. A. Batt, whether the Association was satisfied the Government was sincere. Wliy, he asked, did the Government not set a good exarnple? Mr. Batt replied that he could not make anv seathing or sweeping criti"ism without a more intimate knowledge of the position. The Government had given instmetions for a reduction of 33 1-3 per cent. of its own petrol consumption. If carried out, that was a substautial saving, and he took it rhere tvere offieers responsible to see that it was carried out. That seemed to show the sincerity Mr. Jones sought.