PETROL RATIONING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24226, 19 February 1940, Page 6

PETROL RATIONING

ATTITUDE OF AUSTRALIA BRITAIN’S REQUEST FOR RESTRICTIONS NO DECISION REACHED (Per United Press Association) CHRISTCHURCH. Feb. 17. The attitude of the Australian Commonwealth towards .the petrol’restrictions and the question of what Australia would do compared with what New Zealand had done in that regard was the subject of a question to the Minister of Supply (Mr D. G. Sullivan) to-day. Mr Sullivan said that he understood the same request for conservation of petrol in order to conserve dollar funds to aid the purchase of munitions in America by the British Government had been made 10 Australia. The New Zealand Government decided to respond to the appeal of the British Government and render that form of assistance. Australia would, of course, make its own decision whether it would, or would not respond to the British representations in the same way.

The Minister said he had discussed the matter with the Commonwealth Assistant Minister of Commerce (Mr P. A. Mcßride) and Mr R. G. Casey on their recent visit to New Zealand, and Mr Mcßride said he was definitely of the opinion that the Commonwealth Government would'ipake its contribution to the British cause by imposing petrol restrictions* and he had no objection to Mr Sullivan saying so. “Mr Casey declared that the Commonwealth authorities were discussing the matter,” went on Mr Sullivan, “knd I gathered the impression from him that no decision had been made, but he. too, seemed to think that when finality was reached there would be petrol restrictions in Australia as im New Zealand. Mj- Casey’s opinion did not appear’to be quite as definite in the matter ,as that of Mr Mcßrdie.”

Mr Sullivan added that it would not be the wish of any Government to undertake petrol restrictions, with -all the difficuliteg involved to itself and its people. It would only do so if such * a course were justified by the needs of the situation. The British Government had said to New Zealand that it needed the Dominion’s help in the matter, and New Zealand had replied that it would help. Other parts of the Empire would decide for themselves whether they would help also. The people of the . United Kingdom also being rationed in the matter Of petrol supplies.