PRIVATE CARS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 February 1942, Page 2

PRIVATE CARS

PETROL ALLOCATION SOUGHT STATEMENT AWAITED. MOTOR FEDERATION PRESSES CASE. The New Zealand Motor Trade Federation views with satisfaction the release of sufficient petrol to enable the partial restoration of licences for industrial purposes, and already the motor industry has felt the benefit of the release of this petrol, and it is evident that production, both primary and secondary, has been speeded up as a result, according to a statement issued by the federation for publication. , . , After stating that private vehicle, owners were anxiously awaiting a further announcement regarding a possible allocation of petrol for their cars, the statement says: “The suggestion that motor vehicles can be kept in a state of mobility merely by a battery service at six-weekly periods indicates a complete lack of appreciation of the position, and the motor trade has never at any time stated its agreement with the suggestion that motor vehicles can be kept completely mobile with this partial service. “It will be conceded by all that the private motor vehicle is an adjunct of the Home Guard and the E.P.S., and both of these valuable sections of our national life will be circumscribed unless the private motor vehicle is mobile and available to give them the necessary assistance. Australia has announced the following petrol ration for February and March: 8 h.p. car, 3 gallons for two-monthly period; 10 h.p. car. 4 gallons; 14 h.p. car, 5 gallons; 20 h.p. car, 6 gallons; 30 h.p. car, 8 gallons; over 40 h.p., 9 gallons. Surely no ono can suggest that New Zealand is in a less advantageous position than Australia in reference to supplies of petrol. Great Britain has recently announced a ration in England based on 150 miles a month for the private motor vehicle. It is evident that New Zealand will be in good company in issuing sufficient petrol to the owner of the private motor vehicle to enable the vehicle to be kept mobile and available at all times.”