ACUTE SITUATION

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 53, Issue 32407, 15 March 1944, Page 5

ACUTE SITUATION

SHORTAGE OF TYRES OUTLOOK FOR THE FUTURE “I can foresee that many cars -will go off the roads when licensing for the coming year occurs - shortly,” said Mr S. E. Hall, president, in an address to the Thames Sub-Provincial Executive of the Farmers’ Union, at the annual meeting of the union. Mr Hall is also farmers’ representative on the Thames Oil Fuel Committee, which controls the issue of tyres. "The position at present was very serious,” said Mr Hall. Tyres could not be granted l to some essential cases. He knew of one case of a car having to serve three country families. In numerous cases the position was absolutely acute. Those issuing permits for tyres were trying to do their best, but they were snowed under by applications. There was not so much trouble in getting tyres for heavy trucks, but the situation was particularly difficult for private cars and light trucks in which farmers went about their ordinary business. Three Applicants a Tyre'’ Mr Hall’s remarks about the shortage of tyres were confirmed by the chief postmaster, Mr W. A. Sawyer, chairman of the Thames Oil Fuel Committee. For every tyre which the committee had; available there were three applicants, said Mr Sawyer, and though the essentiality of tyres for farmers was recognised it was inevitable, under the present conditions, that some demands must remain unsatisfied.