PETROL ALLOWANCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24415, 28 September 1940, Page 17

PETROL ALLOWANCE

” SOLDIERS ON LEAVE GENERAL RULE REQUESTED (Per United Press Association) . - T . CHRISTCHURCH, Sept. 27. “There is something wrong when Ministers of the Crown ca n roam around the country at large in cars and enjoy themselves while soldiers on, final leave cannot get petrol,” said Mr P. F. Harre. secretary of the Otago Automobile Association. at the annual meeting of the South Island Motor Union tonight. 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 Mr 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 absurd that persons sitting comfortably in high places can arbitrarily turn down a reasonable request like that,” Mr Harre . said. “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.

Mr J. H. Main (Oamaru) suggested that there had been a change of front :as he knew of a case where a pilotsergeant on final leave had obtained 14 gallons in Christchurch to visit ; Oamaru.

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