PRIVATE CARS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 June 1942, Page 4

PRIVATE CARS

NOT MANY ON ROAD IN FEW MONTHS STATEMENT BY MINISTER OF TRANSPORT. NOTHING SACRIFICED SO FAR. The opinion that, because of the petrol shortage few private motorcars would be on the road in a few months was expressed by the Minister for Transport (Mr Semple) on Saturday at a conference in Christchurch to discuss 'the seriousness of the tire and petrol situation. A representative of the Fresh Milk Association said there was a considerable amount of travelling in motorcars to golf links and race meetings, and it seemed in order that that sort of thing should be closed down, so that commercial requirements should be fulfilled. “I can tell you that the matter is under consideration right now,” replied Mr. Semple. “The position about tires in the United States has struck us only quite v recently. As far as private cars and race meetings were concerned.. we did not want to rush in and destroy every vestige of the people’s amusement before it was absolutely imperative. It is imperative today that we do these things. I can tell you that there won’t be many private motors on the road in a few months’ time. They will all be in the garages. We won’t have the petrol. “My own view is that the New Zealand people, apart from the mothers and fathers of the boys who are dead, have sacrificed nothing so far. We are just at the point where we have to sacrifice and we will feel the pinch every one of us. These things will be done—and done very shortly.” The point was made by a representative of the Fresh 'Milk Association that most of the delivery vehicles were light vans which used tires of the motor-car sizes.