PETROL RESTRICTIONS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20044, 16 September 1939, Page 4

PETROL RESTRICTIONS

EASED SOON AS POSSIBLE MINISTER’S ASSURANCE BUILDING UP RESERVE (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. “In view of certain rumours current,” said the Hon. -D. G. Sullivan, Minister of Supply yesterday, “I feel it desirable, in the interests of the welfare of the many thousands of our citizens engaged in the motor trade, that I should make it quite clear that the petrol restrictions have been imposed solely in the interests of national security and not, as has been suggested, because of sterling or indeed of any. other consideration. “The sole aim of the Government has been to conserve supplies and build up a reserve sufficient to enable us to carry on essential services in the event of our supplies,being cut off or restricted. No other aspect was taken into consideration. “It is my earnest desire to keep the motoring public supplied as far as possible with their normal requirements, and ultimately, if national security permits,' to allow petrol for private cars without restriction. “The relaxation of the restrictions recently made, when an allowance of 10 gallons per month was authorised for private cars, was based upon the same considerations.

“I am happy to say that the present position is reassuring, and the public and the motor trade may rest assured that the restrictions will be eased as soon as possible without jeopardising a reserve necessary for the purposes of national security and defence. “In the meantime, the public would serve the national interests in the present emergency by discounting a variety of rumours in circulation.”