MORE PETROL

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20076, 24 October 1939, Page 4

MORE PETROL

IMMEDIATE EFFECT IMPROVEMENT IN SALES BRIGHTER OUTLOOK "WELCOME XMAS BOX" Everyone directly or indirectly will appreciate for various reasons the promise of the entire removal by the end of next month of the petrol restrictions, which were imposed in New Zealand at the outbreak of war. This w'as the consensus of opinion expressed in Auckland by various motor traders, who said the Minister’s announcement could not have been more timely, in that it enlivened holiday w’eek-end sales, and constituted a welcome Christinas box for motorists.

With the summer so close at hand, unrestricted supplies will be the more appreciated. People who have been in the habit of spending their holidays in their motor cars will especially welcome the thought that they will not have to make new plans for this season. Tanks Almost Full Service station proprietors said the effect of the Minister’s promise of more petrol next month and then the lifting of the restrictions altogether had been immediate. Recently sales had declined, but people were now relaxing tlieir own private rationing and making the most of the petroi they could command up to the end oi the present month. It was expected that the improvement would be even more marked within a few days. "There is no question that we have ever been unable to supply petrol,’ said a prominent petrol reseller. ’’Out tanks have been almost full ever since the war started. Motorists were compelled to cut down their running, and some of us were forced to reduce staffs. It is possible that business may now improve sufficiently to allow us to re-engage employees, thus helping the country as a whole. It may help too, to tide us over our own trials, in the questions of closing hours and a new award which are now facing us.’’ Rift in Dark Cloud Motor salesmen see a rift in the dark cloud which has shadowed business since the war began. They said it was now possible that car sale: would improve, and altogether an optimistic outlook was indicated. Another branch of the industry which is hopeful of participating ir the anticipated improvement is thai in which panel beaters, painters and the like are engaged. One such business man said that business had beer almost at a standstill since restrictions were imposed, and although it might be some time before the removal of rationing was fully felt, its advent would be more than welcome.