To Allow Importation Of Petrol From Poland

Chronicle (Levin), 7 September 1949, Page 5

To Allow Importation Of Petrol From Poland

CANBERRA, Sept. 6. - Mr. Chifley announced today that, following the completion of inquiries into the question of importing petrol from Russia and Eastern European countries, the Government has decided to issue a licence to one company covering the importation of 12,000 tons (about. 3,500,000 gallons) from Polanci, subject to the observanee of certain currency conditious. These insure that the pavment for the petrol and tanker freights will not involve an outlay of dollars or other hard currency. The Government is also willing to consiaer the issue, subject to similar currency conditions, of licences for the import of petrol from Russian sources. A Melbourne message states that plans for the reimposition of petrol rationing have been tlirown awry by the decision of the Victorian Liberal-Coun-trv coalition agai'nst rationing as previously existing. The meeting favoured ' ' orderly distrlbution by the petrol trade. ' ' All the other States had agreed -tentatively to permit .the Commonwealth to reintroduce rationing for a limited period but last week the Vic1 torian Liberals postponed a decision despite Premier H'ollway's recommendation for rationjng. Today Cabinct decided to recommend to the Party that it had no alternative but to- introduc-e logislation to sub-ration Victoria's petrol "for equitable distribution until June 30, 1950, but in such a way as not to refer the powers to the Commonwealth."