"ECONOMIC LIFE AFFECTED"

Southland Times, Issue 24236, 20 September 1940, Page 6

"ECONOMIC LIFE AFFECTED"

PETROL RATIONING IN DOMINION MOTOR TRADE WANTS RESTRICTIONS EASED (United Press Association) WELLINGTON, September 19. Claiming that the supplies of petrol issued in New Zealand were so low that the economic life of the country was being affected, the Motor Trade Federation’s annual meeting this mornirig supported the president (Mr C. R. Edmond) in his statement that another 1,000,000 gallons a month was required. Mr Edmond produced a letter from a large British motor manufacturer in which an appeal was made for a market in New Zealand.

“We would like to respond to that appeal but cannot unless there is some easing in the petrol situation. “On the one hand we have the High Commissioner for the United Kingdom (Sir Harry Batterbee) telling us that we must conserve petrol, and on the other hand one of the leading motor manufacturers in England pleading with us to buy their goods. There must be some place in the middle where we can meet and do both things.” Mr W. E. Hill said the industry had never opposed petrol rationing as a principle, but contended that there was a point beyond which rationing could not go without a serious effect on the economic life of the Dominion. DEPUTATION TO WAIT ON PRIME MINISTER (United Press Association) AUCKLAND, September 19, The council of the Chamber of Commerce decided to support the Canterbury Chamber which proposed to send a deputation to the Prime Minister, asking for relaxation of the petrol restrictions at least to the extent of granting the amount of petrol available before July 1 last. The president (Mr Spencer) said the chamber should ask why the public got less petrol than in England and a great deal less than in Australia. WORKERS WANT INCREASE OF 7,000,000 GALLONS (United Press Association) DUNEDIN, September 19. A petition signed by 263 workers in the Dunedin motor industry has been forwarded to the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser, urging that at least 7,000,000 gallons of petrol be released each month to give them reasonable security in employment.