PETROL RESTRICTIONS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 October 1940, Page 7

PETROL RESTRICTIONS

PETITION FROM WAIRARAPA GARAGE EMPLOYEES. REASONS FOR GOVERNMENT’S ACTION. The following reply has been received by Mr R. C. Jordan from Mr J. Robertson, M.P., relating to a petition presented to the Prime Minister from garage employees and engineers throughout the Wairarapa as to the serious effect of petrol restrictions on the motor industry: “In refernce to the petition which I handed to the Prime Minister on your behalf, from motor and petrol trade employees and others in the Wairarapa, the Prime Minister, as indicated to you by him, wishes to make it clear that the restriction of the use of petrol has had to be imposed purely as a war measure. The main reasons could be stated as follows in their order of importance: "(1) The necessity of building up and maintaining a reserve stock of petrol in New Zealand in view of events overseas taking such a turn as would prevent further supplies reaching us for some appreciable period. “(2) The request of Great Britain to restrict our petrol usage in order to lessen the draught on Britain’s dollar funds abroad, thus enabling those funds to be utilised to a greater extent in securing the war mater-: ials so vitally necessary to the defence of Great Britain and our own country.

“It could be pointed out that New Zealand consumes more petrol per head than any other country in the world with the exception of the United States of America. The amount of money remitted abroad for petrol represented a higher proportion of our overseas commitments than was the case with any other part of the British Commonwealth. Storage capacity in New Zealand is limited in relation to our requirements, hence the maintenance and regularity of supply from overseas is vitally important as any temporary stoppage would reduce our reserves to a dangerous degree. It will be seen, therefore, that the causes behind the Government’s attitude in conserving petrol, arise mainly, first from considerations of our defence policy in view of possible eventualities, and secondly our desire to help Britain to get the planes and munitions to enable her to protect herself from the ruthless enemy attacks of which she is now bearing the brunt. Our fate also depends on Britain’s fate and consequently the Government’s intention is to spare no sacrifice that will help in our common cause.

“You will have seen of course the statement made by the Minister of Supplies to the effect that if we have attained the necessary reserve supply by the end of the present month there may be a relaxation of the present restrictions. This of course must always be considered with due regard to. the war situation in the Pacific.”