WHOLE DOMINION SORE

Evening Star, Issue 23693, 28 September 1940, Page 9

WHOLE DOMINION SORE

GOVERNMENT S PETROL POLICY INJUSTICE AFFECTS MORALE MOTOR ONION SEEING THINGS THROUGH [Per United Press Association.] CHRISTCHURCH, September 27. “ The finger of patriotism has been pointed at us, and we are not going to take it,” said Mr W. R. Carey, president of the South island Motor Union, when discussing the agitation for an easing, of the petrol restrictions at a meeting of the union to-night. “ You can analyse the record of any Minister of the Crown' and compare it with that of members of this union. We stand in a favourable comparison, and we will not take it.” The meeting heartily' endorsed Mr Carey’s attitude. The union had before it the latest letter from the Minister of Finance (Mr Nash), in reply to a telegram advising him that it was currently reported that he hatl said that the sale of petrol would require to be rationed or controlled even if war had not come. Mr Nash’s reply received this morning was: “ While it is not possible to determine now what would have happened in connection with the import of petrol had not war broken out, it is likely to the extent that it may have been necesr sary to utilise our sterling resources on the import selection policy that preference would, have been given to essential requirements and raw materials for primary and secondary industry that some licenses would have to be curtailed' and to the extent that petrol is ■Used for luxury purposes it may have been necessary to limit the sum which would have been available for its purchase overseas.”

Mr Carey said he wanted to know how Sir Harry Batterbee was brought into the argument. ■ ' Mr C. R. Edmond (president of the Motor Trades Association); He came in.

“ Well, he was not,very convincing,” commented Mr Carey. He added that ho had asked two bankers how the restrictions on petrol conserved the dollar exchange, and they were unable to assist him.

“ The morale of the people is being undermined and there are murmurings from one end of the country to the other,” said Mr F. W. Johnston (Christchurch). “The Government is doing the work of a thousand ‘ fifth columnists.’ The radio from London is buttressing us up and asking us not to be pessimistic, but the Government here, by restrictions which to any freeminded tribunal are incomprehensible, is undermining morale. Its ipetrol policy has been vacillating and_ inconsistent, and it is now appealing on patriotic grounds.”

“ That we definitely consider that the question of petrol allocation, especially in view of the trade statistics for the first five months of 1939 and 1940, and also in regard to the disruption of the industry and commerce of the Dominion and the consequent effect upon the general morale of the community, should be taken up strongly by the motor unions with a view to aiming

at an allowance consonant with

what is proposed *to be given in Australia,” was a resolution passed

by the union later.

The Government ■ was attacked by delegates, who alleged that there were changes of policy and an unwillingness to give the real reasons for the restrictions. Both the North Island and the South Island representatives expressed their determination to_ fight the Government. A petition is to be sent to Parliament, and if necessary a delegation will press the Ministers of Finance. Transport, and Supply for categorical answers.