SUPPLIES OF PETROL

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20906, 11 September 1939, Page 6

SUPPLIES OF PETROL

Deciding to relax the restrictions on the use of petrol to some extent, the Government has taken a step that will be warmly welcomed throughout the country. Not only does it show that supplies of petrol are reasonably assured, but it also indicates that it is desired to facilitate the ordinary business of the country as much as possible. The restrictions had a serious effect on business generally, but the position was accepted with remarkably little complaint, although it caused a radical change in daily habits of thousands of people. Restrictions that still apply will not permit the unlimited use of private motor-cars, but the allocation of ten gallons of pertol a month for use in private cars will afford a very welcome measure of relief. Over two gallons a week will the essential requirements of the very modest motorist in the meantime, but it is hoped that it will be found possible to permit the more generous use of petrol in the near future. The experience, of the past week has shown that however willing the people were to make the sacrifice in the interests of national efficiency, the sudden imposition of the restrictions did have serious repercussions upon business and industry—probably a more serious effect than the Government expected. The Government’s decision was not unexpected, because it is known that there ar j fairly extensive supplies of petrol in New Zealand. It does not seem likely that warfare on the high seas interrupt the passage of oil tankers from the producing countries to New Zealand, but it is possible that the extraordinary demand in all countries, particularly Britain and France, will result in heavy calls upon the world production of petrol and upon all available tanker tonnage. Yhat circumstance alone is sufficient to cause the Dominion to conserve its petrol supplies to a reasonable extent. The emergency regulations have fallen heavily upon those whose livelihood depends upon the petrol and motor trades, and the announcement thgit the restrictions are to be lifted in part will be heartening news tc; them particularly.