PETROL RATIONING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24419, 3 October 1940, Page 8

PETROL RATIONING

A REPLY TO CRITICISM NEED FOR FULL RESERVES RECENT LACK OF TANKERS (Per United Press Association) WELLINGTON. Oct. 2. In reply to criticism .of .the Government’s announcement. regaining the petrol 'ration, the Minister of Supply, Mr D. G. Sullivan said to-day that the building up of reserves had been very difficult until comparatively recently because of a shortage of tankers. The British. Government, when asking New Zealand to reimpose the restrictions, had especially stressed this difficulty.' During one month the problem became ■’ particularly ; acute, and, although arrangements for supplies had been made well in advance by the oil companies, not a single gallon of petrol was landed in New Zealand. As soon as tankers became available and at the request of the British Government. New Zealand began to increase her reserves. The Government had considered this policy in detail, Mr Sullivan said, and had decided that the present rationing scale should be continued until essential reserves had been accumulated. Every New Zealander would agree that while storage space was available and while petrol could be obtained the most adequate reserves should be built up. As he had indicated on Monday night, it was anticipated that by the end of October the reserves of motor spirit would have reached an amount that would permit an increase" in the petrol allowance to private cars, and consequently an increase would be granted in November. Referring to the criticism that commercial users were not mentioned.in his earlier statement, Mr Sullivan said that the petrol allowances for commercial or business purposes were ’determined by advisory committees representing the main classes of users. These committees had been informed many times that petrol restrictions, were not to interfere with production. They know that if production needs justified an increase in the case of any- person or firm that increase was to be granted. Although private consumers had been reduced 33 1-3 per cent, in July, the reduction in commercial licences since June had been only 3| per cent., and the saving with private pump holders had been only 1J per cent.

PERMISSION FOR SPECIAL CASES ASSURANCE BY MINISTER iFrom Oub Parliamentary Reporter! •' ! WELLINGTON. Oct. 2. An assurance that in the two special cases referred to sufficient supplies of petrol for the purpose would be made available was given by the Minister of Supply (Mr D. G. Sullivan) when replying to questions by Mr D. C. Kidd (Opposition, Waitaki) in the House of Representatives to-day. Mr. Kidd asked whether shearers would receive special consideration to enable them to move expeditiously from place to place and also brought up the question of urgent medical attention being required in country districts. “ Instructions have already been issued that where suitable public transport is not available workmen are to be supplied with sufficient petrol to enable them to carry out them work,” Mr Sullivan, said. “ The Government has already announced that in the rationing cf petrol the needs of increased production will be recognised and special consideration will be given in the case of shearers.”- f 5 Referring to the other question, the Minister said that instructions had already been issued to all postmasters that in cases requiring urgent medical attention sufficient supplies of petrol were to be made available. Where a doctor had net enough petrol to travel to the nearest postmaster, the matter could be arranged by telephone. SUPPLIES FOR MOTOR BOATS ALLOWANCES TO BE MADE (Per United Press Association) WELLINGTON, Oct. 2. The Minister of Supply (Mr D. G. Sullivan) stated to-day that some petrol would be made available during the coming summer season for consumption in motor : boats. The Minister added that discussions were proceeding with motor boat clubs regarding-the details of a rationing scheme, but no scale of allowances had yet been fixed. ■