PETROL POLICY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 258, 28 September 1940, Page 6

PETROL POLICY

MOTOR UNION’S ALARM.

government criticised

Per Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, Sept. 27. “The finger of patriotism has been pointed at us and we are not going to take it,” said Mr W;. R. Carey, president of the South Island Motor Union, when discussing the agitation for the easing of petrol restrictions at the annual meeting of the union. “You can analyse the record of any Minister 1 of the Crown and compare it with that of members of this union. We stand in comparison, arid ive will nob take it.” The meeting heartily endorsed Mr Carey’s attitude. The union had before it the latest letter from the Minister of Finance (Hon. W. Nash) in reply to a telegram advising him that it was currently reported that he had said that the sale of petrol would require to be rationed or controlled even if Avar had not come. Mr Nash’s reply received this morning was: “While it is not possible to determine uoav ivhat would have happened in connection Aidth the import of petrol had not Avar broken, out, it is likely, to the extent that it may have been necessary to utilise our sterling resources on the import selection policy, that preference Avould have been given to medical requirements and raiv materials for primary and secondary industry, that some licenses Ai’ould have been curtailed, and to the extent that petrol is used for luxury purposes it may have been, necessary to limit tlie sum which ivould have been ai’ailable for its purchase overseas.” Mr Carey said he Avanted to know how Sir Harry Batterbee Avas brought into the argument. ' Mr C. R. Edmond (president of the Motor Trades Association): He came

in. . . ~ “Well, he was not very, convincing, commented Mr Carey. He added that he had asked two bankers hoiv the restrictions oil petrol conserved dollar exchange and they Avere unable to assist liim. . . “The morale of the people is being undermined and there are murmurings from one end of the country to the other,” said Mr F. W. Johnston (Christchurch). “The Government is doing the work of a thousand h ittn Columnists. The radio from London is buttressing us up aud asking us not to be pessimistic, but the Government here by. restrictions Avhich to any freeminded tribunal are incomprehensible, is undermining our morale. Jts petrol policy has been vacillating and inconsistent, and it is uoav appealing on patriotic grounds.” .

STRONG STAND.

“That Ave definitely consider that the question of petrol allocation, especially Jn vieiv ot the trade statistics for the first five months of 1939 and 1940, and also in regard to the disruption of the industry and commerce of the Dominion and the consequent effect upon the general morale of the community, should be taken up strongly by the motor unions with a A r ie\v to aiming -at an alloiA’ance consonant with Avhat is proposed to be given in Australia,” Avas a resolution made. The Government Avas attacked by delegates, Avho alleged changes of policy and univillingness to give the real reasons for the restrictions. Both North Island and South Island repres-entatiA-es expressed t'heir determination to fight the Government hard. A petition is to be sent to Parkament and if necessary a delegation will press the Ministers for Finance, Transport and Supply for categorical answers.

REQUEST FOR CONSISTENCY.

“There is something wrong when ALinisters of the Crown can roam round the country at large in cars and enjoy themselves while soldiers on final leave cannot get petrol,” said Air P. F. Harre, secretary of the Otago Association. He protested vigorously against the ruling of the Oil Fuel Controller that a special petrol allowance could not be made available for soldiers on final leave to enable them to visit relatives in country districts. The- meeting was invited by Air Harre to make a strong protest against “this bit of nonsense.”. “Whether the Oil Fuel Controller or the regulations are responsible I do not know, but it does seem to me that persons sitting comfortably in high places can arbitrarily turn down a reasonable request like that,” "Air Harre said, “although they may not come back and they want to have a last look round the country. Petrol is allowed for up to 300 miles in England, where there is a real war, and it should be done here.” He considered that the granting of special allowances should be left to the various local fuel controllers.

Air J. H. Alain (Oamaru) suggested that there had been a change of front, as lie knew of a case where a pilotsergeant o.n final leave had obtained 14 gallons in Christchurch to visit Oamaru.

The union decided to make a protest and to ask for a universal rule.