PETROL RATIONING

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20907, 12 September 1939, Page 8

PETROL RATIONING

LOCAL BODY ACTIVITIBB POSITION OF COUNCILLORS OFFICIAL EXPLANATION GIVEN ‘The whole system is unfair and unjust that petrol should he rationed irrespective of the mileage a gallon travelled by a car,” said Mr P. E. Dingle, at the meeting of the Waikato County Council 10-day, when the question was raised whether members should carry on with tneir usual routine inspections and general county work now that petrol rationing was being undertaken. Mr Dingle said he considered the work would have to be curtailed, and difficulty might be experienced in securing sufficient petrol to attend the two meetings held each month by the council. If each member were to be allowed 10 gallons a month only, like the private owner, the county work would have to so. Mr G. H. Walter said that members should have no difficulty in securing special licences for enough petrol to attend the meetings of the council. The chairman, Mr J. A. Sampson, said the matter was so much in the air at the moment that it would not he advisable for the council to take any action. Council’s Requirements Mr A. A. Woodward, the county engineer, said full requirements for the council’s plant had been secured under licence. When the county council discussion, which could apply to all local body members, was referred to the district oil fuel control office in Hamilton this afternoon, it was stated that individual members of local bodies had submitted applications, and sufficient petrol had been granted for them at attend body meetings. It is the aim of the oil fuel controller to cater for attention to civic duties. Councillors using private cars for council work will receive ten gallons a month under the coupon system for private purposes, in addition to whatever petrol is granted under special licence for the execution of council business. Letter From County The point raised by Mr Dingle regarding the special country work such as inspection during the month was also referred to the authorities. It was stated that no licence could be given for this type of work, unless an authoritative letter was received from the local body setting out in detail the work required of a member. Then consideration would be given to the application. Without that it was impossible for the special committee to know just how much petrol a local body member would require for special council business. It was not the desire of the controller to restart local body activities, but overlapping must be avoided. POBITION OF FARMERB 10 GALLONS AN ADDITION OTHER PRIVATE CAR OWNERS Farmers who own private motor-cars will receive the ten gallons of petrol which will be issued each month under the ooupon system, in addition to any amounts they have acquired under licence. Thus, farmers will be allowed unde rspecial licence one trip a week •to the nearest town centre if they live more than a mile from that centre, and the 10 gallons a month will be an extra allowance. Some farmers have secured licences for special purposes necessary for their business as farmers, such as travelling to outside stock markets. The 10 gallons a month will he in addition to that also. As far as the owner of the private car in the town is concerned, the position is much the same. The issue ui 10 gallons a month will be additional to and irrespective ol‘ any petrol which may be granted under -special licence. That is Id say, if a man witii a private i car secured a rationed amount of petrol under licence to operate the car ■ for certain business purposes, he will I receive the 10 (gallons a month in addition for pleasure. The ten gallon ration does nut apply to commercial veliicle-s, however.