STRONG PROTEST

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 September 1940, Page 4

STRONG PROTEST

AGAINST PRESENT PETROL RESTRICTIONS MEETING OF WAIRARAPA REPRESENTATIVES. PETITION TO PRIME MINISTER. The serious effect of petrol restrictions on the motor trade and those employed in it was emphasised at a large and representative meeting of engineers, garage and service station employees, embracing all parts of the Wairarapa Valley, held in the Y.M.C.A. Rooms, Masterton, last night. Mr J. Bruce presided. It was contended that in light of the facts, the restrictions were not warranted. It was decided to present a petition, and to forward the following motion, direct 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 stabilising the present petrol ration to private and commercial users. While realising 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.” The chairman stated that the meeting had been called to endorse the action taken by a similar meeting of representatives of the industry in Nelson. “You are all aware of the seriousness of the position so far as employees in all branches of the industry are concerned/’ said Mr Bruce. “Many men have lost their jobs and it is well known that the motor trade will not be able .to carry its staffs if the present restrictions continue. In the past twelve months the number of employees in the industry had fallen •from 40,000 to between 20,000 and 25,000.” Mr .Bruce pointed out that petrol supplies had been cut down to 6.000,000 gallons. The resellers had asked for a further million gallons, but it was doubtful if that was enough. A voice: “It will be if it is cut down to golfers.” “There is no need for the restrictions,” Mr Bruce went on to declare. He instanced the quantities allowed in England and Australia against which, he said, the New Zealand allowance made a poor showing. “If the motorist at the seat of the war is allowed the same as we get, and in Australia they get far more than we get, then there is something wrong,” he added. “All we ask for is a reasonable quantity which will enable the industry to keep going. It is not that we can’t get it. All the storage tanks in New Zealand are full and the tankers have -no place to put it. The Government would get more revenue. I have confidential advice from oil companies that they offer to bring over all the petrol required and will leave the payment to be made in New Zealand, or alternatively will offer it for sale on the basis of payment when sold through the service stations. We can get all the petrol we want. There has never been any suggestion of a petrol shortage in this country.”

It was considered by some of those present that the suggestion of dollar funds occasioning the restriction was not correct, as petrol was coming from the Indies, which were in the sterling bloc.

A proposal that the member for the district be asked to present a Wairarapa petition was not supported. It was decided to present a petition forthe signature of all employees con--cerned, covering the Wairarapa district from Woodville to Martinborough. All present at the meeting signed the petition. Reference was made by the chairman to the presence of many women delegates, and he moved a vote of thanks to them for showing interest in the meeting, the motion, being carried by acclamation. Mr W. Jordan was appointed secretary and it was decided that the present committee of the Engineers’ Union form a committee to further the proposals. The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks to the chair.