RETAIL DELIVERIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 September 1942, Page 6

RETAIL DELIVERIES

TO CEASE WHERE POSSIBLE. WAR CABINET DECISION. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) NEW PLYMOUTH, September 1. “Other than milk, coal and firewood, the War Cabinet has decided that, where possible, all retail deliveries must cease,” Mr H. M. Christie, zoning officer for the North Island, said on his first visit to New Plymouth in his official capacity. Complete cessation of retail deliveries throughout New Zealand presented many difficulties, Mr Christie explained, and in certain cases grave hardship would result from immediate curtailment. Nevertheless, the plan was to stop such deliveries wherever they could be done without, and this would be done as rapidly as possible. “Action is essential because of the serious situation concerning tyres, petrol and labour,” Mr Christie said. “The manpower position is becoming more and more difficult. In an endeavour to obtain tyres the Government has sent a representative to the United States but when the United States itself has completely prohibited delivery of goods by motor transport, New Zealand cannot expect to get much consideration unless we take similar steps.” A further reduction in petrol allowances could be expected as soon as large-scale offensive actions were started by the United Nations, Mr Christie considered. No matter where such action was taken it imposed an extra strain on petrol supplies. More tankers were needed to transport oil and petrol used in amazing quantities by tanks, aeroplanes and warships, and that meant less for civilian needs.