PETROL RATIONING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26617, 13 November 1947, Page 4

PETROL RATIONING

Sir, —The announcement made by Mr Nordmeyer on Monday last that petrol resellers were to have their allocation cut by 10 per cent, met with the approval of most motorists. Mr Nordmeyer also stated that if this did not achieve the desired saving compulsory rationing to the consumer would be borught into operation. Now, to me, this does not quite make sense. To my mind, the desired saving must be achieved by the present method because no more petrol can be sold than what is available. All the reseller has to do is spread his quota evenly over each month and the system would work perfectly. The point which stood out in large letters was the fact that petrol coupons and licences were already printed, and would be brought into use if the present system did not achieve the desired saving. The whole affair indicates that compulsory rationing is slowly being brought on in three stages—first, by voluntary reduction in consumption; secondly, the present system; and lastly, in two or three months’ time when compulsory rationing could be enforced. Or perhaps someone may be able to explain more fully why the present system would fail and why ration coupons are already printed.—l am, etc., Castrol XL.