WASTE OF PETROL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 January 1942, Page 4

WASTE OF PETROL

ALLEGED BY COUNCILLORS ENEMY CONSUL’S GOLF TRIPS. ACCUSATIONS AGAINST ARMY. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. Complaints that the Japanese Consul was making frequent trips in a 12-cylinder car to Makara to play golf, and that the Army was wasting petrol by the needless running of trucks while members of the Makara County Council could not get petrol to take them to meetings, were made by councillors at their monthly meeting yesterday. “Talk about fifth columnists and quislings,” said the chairman, Cr. J. Purchase. “If this sort of thing does not make them. I don't know what does.” He said that a high-powered car had recently drawn up near his home at Makara. He had been informed by his son that it contained the Japanese Consul, but he would not believe it till he had satisfied himself of the Consul's identity by watching him, through glasses, playing golf with his “bodyguard.” “This man,” continued Cr. Purchase, “is enjoying privileges which are denied to men who have lived and worked in this country for over 40 years.” Councillors gave instances they had observed of Army vehicles running about the roads practically empty. The chairman: Just joy-riding. Cr. W. P. Hume: That is to be seen everywhere. Cr. W. R. Bothamley said he had seen an Army truck at Porirua make a special trip to take two soldiers 150 yards to their headquarters. The chairman: They ask the local authorities to conserve petrol, and waste it hand over fist themselves. The council had before it a letter from the Oil Fuel Controller stating that he would consider individual applications from councillors who needed petrol to attend meetings, and that each case would be treated on its merits.

Councillors -stated that where other means of transport were available they did not want special-licences, but that for some of - them travel by car was the only means of reaching the city to attend meetings.

It was decided to draw the attention of the Minister of Supply to the trips of the Japanese Consul, and to ask the Minister whether local body administration was to cease for want of petrol.