PETROL LICENCES

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 198, 19 May 1944, Page 4

PETROL LICENCES

Comprehensive Review

To Be Made

SUPPLY SITUATION MORE DIFFICULT

An anuouncinent that the Oil Fuel Controller had been directed to carry out a comprehensive review of petrol licences issued to commercial and other users was made last evening by the Minister of Supply and Munitions, Mr. Sullivan. He said that the present stock position together with the future supply position made a general cheekover of petrol consumption really necessary, “Recent advices both from England and America indicate that the supply position is becoming more difficult as time goes on,” said the Minister, “and I am sure the public will realize that the demands of the impending operations in Europe will be of enormous proportions. The Government has been requested to conserve supplies of petrol by restricting its use to essential purposes as far ns may be practicable in order that every possible gallon may be available tor war use. The proposed review is intended to ensure that licences meet essential minimum requirements only, and that consumption. be reduced by eliminating nonessential use rather than jby imposing definite cuts on a percentage basis. “Licensees must expect to make some sacrifice,” added the Minister, “but I am confident that any reductions will he .accepted in the knowledge that such sacrifices are absolutely necessary to the winning of the war, especially in view, of the impending operations in Europe.

FARMERS WANT CUT IN COUPON FUEL FIRST

“There is obviously a move at the present time to create public psychology in aid of a move to restrict commercial petrol licences further so that the present pleasure ration can be maintained,’ says an official statement by the New Zealand Farmers’ Union. “This matter was considered by the Dominion executive of the union at its recent meeting, when a resolution was passed requesting the Government to cut out petrol for private cars for pleasure purposes entirely before any move was made to cut down supplies of petrol further to those people who were dependent on petrol transport for their livelihood or for essential transport. It is sincerely to be hoped that the Govetnmeht will see to it that the distribution of petrol is not allowed to become based on the pressure which any particular section of the community is able to exert.’’