SOLDIERS’ PETROL ALLOWANCE

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

SOLDIERS’ PETROL ALLOWANCE

UNIVERSAL RULING SOUGHT • [Per United Press Association.] CHIHSTCHDRCH., September 27. “ There is something wrong when Ministers of the Crown can roam around the country at largo in cars and enjoy themselves while soldiers on final leave cannot got petrol,” said Mr P. F. Harre, secretary of tho Otago Automobile Association, at tho annual meeting of the South island Motor Union to-night. Ho protested vigorously against the ruling of tho Oil Fuel Controller that a special allowance could not be made to enable them to visit relatives in country districts. The meeting was invited by Mr Harre to make a strong protest against “ this bit of nonsense.” “ Whether the Oil Fuel Controller or the regulations are responsible I do not know, but it does seem to me absurd that persons sitting comfortably in high places can arbitrarily turn down a reasonable request like that,” Mr Harre said. “ Petrol is allowed for up to 300 miles in England where there is a real war, and it should bo done here.” He considered that the granting of special allowances should bo left to the various local fuel controllers. Mr J. H. Alain (Oamaru) suggested that there had been a change of front as ho knew of a case where a pilotsergeant on final leave had obtained 14 gallons in Christchurch to visit Oamaru.

The union decided to make a protest and to ask fo’’ a universal rule.