NO LIGHT DECISION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 25 October 1940, Page 4

NO LIGHT DECISION

ON RATIONING OF PETROL STATEMENT BY MR FRASER. AVAR RISKS & NEED OF HELPING BRITAIN. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. “The Government did not lightly decide on the rationing of petrol,” said the Prime Minister (Mr Fraser) in an address last evening. He said the Government had found it vitally necessary to build up a reserve for the armed forces. “I agree that there is room for difference about petrol rationing,” said Mr Fraser, “but we did not lightly decide to ration it. My own personal experience in England, in conversation and negotiation with responsible British officials and administrators, proved conclusively that we were expected to help in that particular matter. Sir John Simon, former Chancellor of the Exchequer, had given a clear indication in the fact that by relaxing rationing last Christmas we had to some extent gone back on our professions.” Mr Fraser said messages received from the British Government indicated that help could be given in that way, and while the British Government would not dream of laying down details to be followed here, a clear indication had been, given of what could be done. The last and more cut in the ration had been made after full consideration of New Zealand’s own defence position. The Government had had to establish a certain reserve for the use of the armed forces, and since that date they had seen the Dutch East Indies threatened and the Mediterranean threatened. The Government would have been failing in its duty had it not seen that in the event of an evil day, supplies necessary for the mobility .of the armed forces were adequate. He was glad that it had been possible for an additional allowance to be granted.” “ONLY A SOP” DISSATISFACTION IN MASTERTON EFFECT ON MOTOR INDUSTRY General dissatisfaction is felt among motor traders and motorists at the Government's announcement that only one extra petrol coupon will be available during the two months of November and December. “It is only a sop,” commented one garage proprietor, who, referring to the fact that the five coupons would be available over the two months, said such a procedure would be dislocating to business, as it would not be known whether the bulk of the coupons would be used in November or in December. Another Masterton resident connected with the motor trade stressed the serious plight in which the industry had been placed as the result of petrol restrictions. The number of people'employed in the industry had been halved, he said, having been reduced, in round figures from 40,000 to 20,000.