PETROL RATION

Evening Star, Issue 23683, 17 September 1940, Page 8

PETROL RATION

THE TRADE CRITICAL GOVERNMENT NOT FRANK [Pee United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, September 17, The Government was criticised for the restrictions placed on the motor trade at the annual conference of trade* representatives to-day, on the grounds that restrictions were not entirely for war purposes, and that the trade was being asked to do more for sterling conservatoion than other sections of the community. The Mayor of Wellington, Mr Hislop, in opening the conference, referred to control under the war regulations as it affected the city electricity department. He said the petrol controller wanted the wage increases to be submitted to him for approval/ He had a pretty good idea that the council would not do that. The president of the federation, Mr C. 11. Edmond, said the trade was suffering from three main factors for which the Government was responsible. There was a lack of frankness, a lack of sincerity, and the co-operation available from the trade had not been used. The Government'had done nothing, and as far as he knew was doing nothing, to keep up fuel stocks. If it had done so, additional restrictions could have been avoided. It was not until the beginning of July that Mr Nash said restrictions were required to conserve petrol. The motor trade had made a great contribution to the war effort, and was entitled to ask for some assurance regarding the future. Mr L. N. Montgomery (Nelson) was elected president.