FACED CHEERFULLY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 December 1941, Page 6

FACED CHEERFULLY

RESTRICTION OF PETROL SUPPLIES ...ULXIT POSITION LOCALLY. GREAT RUSH TO PURCHASE BICYCLES.

“Although it is a heavy blow for the motor industry, it is a very necessary war measure which must be cheerfully faced,” observed a Masterton garage proprietor this morning in commenting on the curtailment of patrol supplies* Owners of vehicles have adopted a similar view. ■’ Petrol resellers stated that the licence cards which had been reviewed by the local Oil Fuel Committee had been, in some cases drastically. cut. One suggestion put forward is that a considerable saving in petrol would be made if the transport of stock ,to freezing works by lorry were eliminated. Surprisingly enough, there was not a great rush locally to buy petrol m the period between the Pacific flare-up and the Government’s action in withholding further supplies. Many petrol resellers in the district expressed their appreciation of the patriotic attitude of the majority of motorists. Of course there were some isolated cases of rush buying. An optimistic view was taken, by a service station proprietor interviewed this morning. He said he was not worried by the restrictions and did not intend reducing his staff, as, he pointed cut, private cars were not yet off the road. Commenting on the use of gas burning plants and the possibility of their extension, he said that the fact that .petrol was required to start the car largely prevented the use of the burner as far as private vehicles were concerned. In any case, the cost of installation was high and if the demand increased the plant could not be produced in sufficient numbers to meet the demand. “In the meantime,” said a Masterton garage proprietor, “it behoves people to keep their cars in good running order, as in the event of an extreme emergency arising their cars may be very valuable. The position,” he said, “may ease itself in a week or two.” No other precautions were necessary for 'the time being than to keep a watch on the water in the batteries and see that the batteries were filled.

BOOM IN CYCLES.

There was a boom in the cycle trade in Masterton this morning as a result of the Government’s announcement of the petrol restrictions; From an early hour this morning cycle shops reported a roaring trade in bicycles, both new and second-hand. All local sellers anticipated being sold out of all bicycles by tonight. There were few new machines to be bought this morning.

“The position is really acute,” said one seller this morning. He said that he had sold out of machines and could not secure any more. There were few second-hand bicycles available which also made the position more difficult. A similar state of affairs exists in Wellington.