CUT IN PETROL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 December 1941, Page 4

CUT IN PETROL

DRASTIC REDUCTIONS MADE

PLEASURE RUNNING ELIMINATED MEANTIME. REVIEW OF LICENCES. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. Drastic reductions in petrol allowances which become operative immediately were announced at the weekend by the Minister of Supply, Mr Sullivan. No petrol is to be available till further notice for pleasure running, nor will any be available for any purpose which may not be regarded as absolutely essential in the public interest. The present system of deliveries of foodstuffs and essential commodities must be substantially curtailed. “The Government realises that these restrictions willg, seriously affect the livelihoods of many people, but the steps being taken are the result of necessity,” said Mr Sullivan. “The Government regards it as essential to the national security that our present stocks be conserved to the utmost possible extent.

“A large number of private carowners probably have considerable petrol in their tanks and the Government asks that they conserve this petrol for themselves or their country in the emergency, and refrain from any pleasure or holiday running in the meantime. No coupons are available till further notice, and all allowances for pleasure launches are cancelled. All licences will need to be drastically reduced or cancelled. Over the weekend all cards are being called in from resellers. It will therefore be necessary for licence-holders to present their licences for review before further supplies may be drawn. “All existing special licences are cancelled and holders of these licences should call at the nearest District Oil Fuel Controller in order that their cases may be considered. Public passenger services are being immediately reviewed with the object of eliminating any non-essential services. “Everything is being done to make the change-over as smooth as possible, and licence holders can materially assist by delaying their applications for review as long as they can in order that the most urgent cases may be dealt with first,” said the Minister. “The action now being taken is necessary in the interests of the security of the nation.” ROAD SERVICES CURTAILMENT OF TIME-TABLES. OPERATED BY RAILWAYS DEPARTMENT. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. Mileage run by railway road services will be reduced by one-quarter, it is estimated by the curtailment which comes into operation today in consequence of the steps taken to reduce the consumption of petrol. Normal services were maintained yesterday, owing to the short notice given the public, but drastic restrictions were imposed from the beginning of schedule running this morning. Irrespective of hours of operation, the whole of the daily service maintained by railways road vehicles between Wellington, Wanganui, and New Plymouth, has been suspended, taking about 10 service cars off this run. The policy adopted has been to eliminate motor running wherever there is a suitable rail service.