RESTRICTIONS ON PETROL

Southland Times, Issue 24227, 10 September 1940, Page 8

RESTRICTIONS ON PETROL

Easing Desired By

Motorists

GOVERNMENT ATTITUDE CRITICIZED

Criticism of the Government’s attitude towards '■the petrol position was expressed by the executive of the Automobile Association (Southland) at its meeting last night, and it was decided to accept the recommendation of the emergency committee and send the following remit to the South Island Motor Union: “That the union discuss the advisability of approaching the Government to secure a definite increase in the petrol allowance to private cars.”

Mr S. C. K. Smith said that the time was ripe for the association to make, a strong protest about the manner in which petrol was dealt out in New Zealand. “I do not think we are hampering the Empire in asking for a more generous allowance,” said Mr Smith. “In fact, I think the harsh restrictions are clogging the wheels of industry in the country.” The chairman (Mr M.M. Macdonald), quoting from an Australian motor journal, said that the price of petrol overseas continued to weaken because of the loss of the European markets occasioned by the war, which had also caused a diminished demand for tankers, and the tendency was to lower charter freights. There was no trouble in getting tankers. The opinion was that in the very near future owners of tankers would be searching for cargo, and there would! be an easing in the freight rate. DOLLAR FUNDS In reply to the claim that petrol purchased from the Dutch East Indies required dollars, it was stated that this was so months ago, but the Indies were now in the sterling bloc and the argument that caused much suspicion was no longer tenable; if it was, the motor industry’s reduced dollar imports represented savings beyond what the Australian Government claimed was sought by the rationing scheme. Requests had been made from other quarters, said Mr Smith, to have an extra million gallons 'a month made available. The Government had stated that no restrictions had been placed on the imports of petrol, but only on its consumption. Mr . Smith said he had been told that the Automobile Association (Wellington) had been approached by the Government and asked to make a request to its members to conserve petrol. The association had done this and immediately afterwards the petrol allowance was reduced.

REQUEST TO BE MADE FOR MORE PETROL DECISION BY AUCKLAND TRADERS (United Press Association) AUCKLAND, September 9. A request for an additional monthly allowance of 1,000,000 gallons of petrol for. private motoring will be made .to the Government as a result of a decision made at a meeting organized by the Auckland Allied Motor Traders Association and attended by about 150 representatives of all branches of the trade. It was also decided to inform the Prime Minister (the Rt Hon. P. Fraser), that the Government control measures over motor and allied transport industries, and particularly over the administration of petrol restrictions, were hindering New Zealand’s war effort.

Another request will be made that the situation be examined and consideration given to factors so. far overlooked because of the financial aspect, and that a directly affirmative or negative statement be made whether legislation introduced as war emergency regulations will be abolished on the cessation of hostilities.

ALLOWANCES COMPARED The following table shows that for the majority of cars the petrol allowance made to motorists is greater in Britain than in New Zealand. In Australia the allowance is more than double the amount allowed in New Zealand. The figures for Great Britain art from The Motor of June 5 and the Australian figures are from the bulletin of the Australian Liquid Fuel Control Board. Gallons a month

N.Z. G.B. Aus.Up to 7 h.p. 4 4 10 Up to 8 h.p. 4 5 10 Up to 9 h.p. 4 5 11 Up to 10 h.p. 6 6 11 Up to 12 h.p. 6 6' 13 Up to 14 h.p. 6 7 14 Up to 15 h.p. 8 7 16 Up to 19 h.p. 8 8 16 Up to 20 h.p. 8 10 16 Up to 30 h.p. 8 10 19 Over 30 h.p. 8 10 23