SHORTAGE OF RUBBER.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 May 1942, Page 2

SHORTAGE OF RUBBER.

JN view of the serious' existing position with regard to rubber stocks and supplies, strict regulation of the use of this coiqmodity in the manufacture and use of tires and other articles obviously is inevitable and very necessary. Until the war is over, no easing of the restrictions now being imposed can be expected. It is much more likely that these restrictions; in general, may be intensified. No other policy is worth considering than that of satisfying needs, as far as possible, in their order of urgency and importance.

While the motor tire, in use on Army, commercial and other vehicles, is the principal item here in question, the humble bicycle tire also is an article of considerable importance to a great many people in the Dominion. A numerous body of cyclists would welcome an official pronouncement on the subject. In this matter as in others, it would be useless to ask for impossibilities, but cyclists generally no doubt would like to know whether any supplies of tires are likely to be available, or whether the existing state of affairs, with bicycle tires off the market, must be expected to continue until the war is over.

If any tires are to be made available, it is evidently desirable that they should be rationed in the most equitable conditions that can be devised. It might be possible to grant some priority to those who make daily use of the bicycle .in traversing considerable distances to and from work and on other necessary occasions.