PETROL SUPPLIES

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 249, 18 September 1940, Page 9

PETROL SUPPLIES

RESTRICTION POLICY. VIGOROUS PROTEST. AVELLINGTON, Sept. 18. “A\ r c all try to be good citizens and to do our best for the war effort, but we feel that wc have not been treated justly,” said Air C, It. Edmond, president of the New Zealand Motor Trade Federation, referring to petrol restrictions and import control, at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Garage Proprietors’ Association yesterday. The trade needed more consideration from-the Government because the industry was unduly hampered by the restrictions that had been imposed. They felt that they had been able to give great help to the war effort and they took second place to no one in loyalty to the Dominion and the Empire. For anyone to say they were disloyal because they agitated against restrictions was ridiculous. They considered they would bo disloyal if they did not take a stand, such as they had taken during recent months because they believed the restrictions imposed by the Government were hampering the war effort and they wanted to know why such restrictions should be applied when they were not applied to other parts of tho Empire. The Aiayor (Air T. C. A. Hislop) said he was glad to welcome the delegates to AA’ellington because ho realised they not only represented their own industry, but also an important part of the general industry of the country. He was sure their loyalty could not bo doubted, but because they were loyal they could not he expected to sit down under restrictions that might be imposed by “the powers that he.” “AA’hat you want to be 6urc of is that the restrictions are essential to the prosecution of the war effort,” he said, “and not imposed for other mirposes under the cloak of the war effort. You are entitled to know the full reasons for the restrictions.” FRANKNESS URGED.

When moving the adoption of the annual report of the Garage Proprietors’ Association, which referred to the effect of the restrictions on the economic position of garage proprietors, Air Edmond said that for the first ten months of the war the trade had been told that the restrictions were necessary because of the vital need for keeping. up stocks in the Dominion, but a time had come when he had decided that the position was not being dealt with with the degree of frankness due to them. In July they had taken a deputation to Air Nash to discuss import control and petrol restrictions, and Air Nash had said that the restrictions were necessary to conserve fuel stocks and dollar exchange. Stocks had declined because the Government had not taken any steps to keep them up, and as far as he knew the oil companies were still loft to bring stocks into the country. It should be the responsibility of the Government to see that the stock position was protected. The further cut in petrol supplies in July had been imposed because stocks had fallen and the trade held that the additional restrictions could have been avoided if the Government bad kept stocks up. Lack of frankness was shown by the fact that it was not till July 3 that Air Nash had stated that, war or no war, there would have been petrol restrictions t'his year, Air Edmond

said. Though Mr Nash had admitted that the restrictions were necessary to conserve sterling, the trade claimed that the percentage of sterling represented was small. They also claimed they were being asked to bear more than their fair share of the burden. LACK OF CO OPERATION.

The retail organisations had not been consulted about the changes that were made, and that lack of cooperation had continued throughout the year. The industry was the second largest secondary in tue Dominion and had a right to expect to be consulted when major changes were made. The motor inuustry had made a great contribution to the war effort by supplying mechanics to the Army and Air Force, Mr Edmond said, and t'he Government should give the industry some stability, so that more youths could be trained. The Australian scheme, which was to come into force in October, did give some stability. Mr Nash had promised an early statement about import control and restrictions nearly two months ago, but nothing had happened. “We must be prepared to carry on our campaign till we get easement in the rationing of petrol or a frank statement from the Government that the only reason for rationing is the war effort,” said Mr Edmond. _ “If we are convinced that the rationing is for t'he purpose, of winning the war we will take it willingly, but Mr Nash mentioned other factors, and why should the motor industry have to make the heaviest sacrifices for the sake of exchangeP We are entitled to ask for a clear-cut and definite statement in reply to our deputation to Mr Nash on July 3 and that reply should come soon.”

PETITION TO PARLIAMENT,

Signatures to a petition asking Parliament to have the petrol rations increased arc to be invited from individual users of petrol. The petition will request that private motorists be allowed to buy sufficient petrol for them to drive 320 miles a month, instead of IGO as at present, and to accumulate coupons for holidays. Explaining the petition on behalf of the Motor Trade Federation to the annual meeting of the Petrol Resellers’. Association last night, Mr W. Hill said it was addressed to Parliament so that it would be debated on the floor of the House, and it was to be 1 from petrol consumers, not the trade. Mr Hill read a draft of the petition, which sets out arguments why the restrictions should be relaxed, and asks that the allowances to private users be increased to quantities that will allow 320 miles a month, four gallons for motor-cycles, eight gallons for cars up to 9.5 h.p., 12 gallons for cars between 9.5 h.p. and 1-L7 h.p., and 16 gallons for cars over 14.7 h.p., and that the allowance of taxis and other commercial users be increased .to approximate more closely to their true needs. It also asks that consumers bo allowed to accumulate coupons for at least two months for use on annual holidays. The request is also made that steps should be taken to ensure stability of rationing policy for at least six months. The petition states that these allowances could be made without increasing the total consumption beyond 7,000.000 gallons a month Mr Hill said that even if the Government were to allow motorists to use three coupons a month instead ot two, as at present, the petition should continue to be signed. I