PETROL RESTRICTIONS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 248, 17 September 1940, Page 8

PETROL RESTRICTIONS

POLICY ASSAILED

BY AIOTOR TRADE.

Per Press Association

WELLINGTON, The Government was criticised for the restrictions placed on ■ the motor trade at the annual conference of trade representatives, to-day, on the grounds that the restrictions were not entirely, for war purposes and that the trade was being asked to do more for sterling conservation • than other sections of the community. The Mayor (Air T. C. A. Hislop), opening the conference, referred to the control under the War Regulations as it affected the city electricity department. He said the Petrol Controller wanted the wage increases to be submitted to him for approval. He haij a pretty good idea that the council would not do that.

The president of the federation (Air C. It. Edmond) said the trade was suffering from three main factors for which the Government was responsible : There were a lack of frankness, a lack of sincerity, and the co-operation available from the trade had not been used. The Government had done nothing, and as far as he knew was doing nothing to keep up the fuel stocks. If it had done so the additional restrictions could 'have been avoided. It was not until the beginning of July that the Alinister of Finance (Hon. A\. Nash) said the restrictions were required to conserve petrol. The motor trade had made a great contribution to the v;ar effort, and was entitled to ask for some assurance regarding the future. Mr L. N. Alontgomery (Nelson) was elected president.