DISLOCATION IN BUSINESS

Southland Times, Issue 24230, 13 September 1940, Page 4

DISLOCATION IN BUSINESS

Effect Of Petrol Restrictions PROTEST BY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Support for the request which hag been made to the Government that an. extra 1,000,000 gallons of petrol a month be made available was given by the Invercargill Chamber of Commerce at its meeting yesterday. It was decided to send the following telegram to the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser): —“Drastic' restrictions in the use of petrol are causing severe dislocation in business and seriously affecting both primary and secondary industry. We strongly support the release of a fuller supply of motor spirit each month.” The Associated Chambers of Commerce, said Mr W. Grieve, had joined with the motor trade in protesting to the Minister of Finance against the harsh nature of the restrictions. Both primary and secondary industries had been stifled by the restriction placed on transportation. The restriction, Mr Grieve declared, was not a war measure. There were plenty of tankers available and there was plenty of petrol. The extra 1,000,000 gallons a month which were desired would cost the country about £330,000 a year, whereas they would return about £700,000 in taxation. The actual amount which had to be paid to secure the petrol was only a part of the sum at which it was sold to the public, the bulk of the price to the consumer being accounted for by taxation. The motor trade had placed its views before the Minister, but he had given no relief, and the trade had asked the Associated Chambers of Commerce to give it as much assistance as possible, said Mr Grieve.

RATION INCREASE WANTED (United Press Association) MASTERTON, September 12. The serious effect of. the petrol restrictions on the motor trade and on those employed in it was emphasized at a large meeting of engineers and garage and service station employees embracing all parts of Wairarapa. It was contended that in the light of the facts the restrictions were not warranted. It was decided to present a petition and to forward the following motion to the Prime Minister: — That' this meeting of motor trade employees, representing all branches of the retail motor industry in the Wairarapa district, strongly urges the Government to give immediate attention to the matter of increasing and stabilizing the present petrol ration to private and commercial users. While realizing that some , measure of conservation is necessary, we would point out that our livelihood and that of thousands of New Zealand workers and their families depend on an adequate supply of petrol and the continued existence of the motor trade in general.