TRADE DISSATISFIED

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21196, 20 August 1940, Page 7

TRADE DISSATISFIED

PETROL ALLOWANCE APPROACH TO GOVERNMENT EXTENT OF UNEMPLOYMENT (By Telegraph.—Special to Times) AUCKLAND, Monday “We are very dissatisfied with the treatment we are getting and are not convinced that the petrol restrictions are solely a war measure,” says a statement issued by a special committee of the Allied Motor Traders’ Association. The organisation, which represents all sections of the motor trade throughout the Auckland Province, issued its statement following publication of details of the restrictions to be introduced in Australia next month. “The restrictions to be imposed in Australia are much less severe than those existing in New Zealand,” the statement continues. “We do not consider Australia to be any less loyal than New Zealand, but Australia’s idea of petrol rationing, ranging from 10 to 23 gallons a month, is strangely at variance with the New Zealand allowance of from four to eight gallons a month. Deputation Heard “A deputation representing the whole of the motor trade organisations in New Zealand waited on the Minister of Customs, the Hon. W. Nash, on July 23, and the trade is very dissatisfied at not having received a reply to date. The deputation sought some easing of the restrictions, but nothing has been done. It asked for another 1,000,000 gallons a month, which, according to customs figures, would cost the country £2G,4OU, New Zealand ports. “Trade organisations throughout the country, apart from waiting on Mr Nash, have made representations to other Ministers, and are now approaching prominent members in both Government and Opposition parties,” the statement adds. “The matter is one of the utmost urgency, as the entire industry is faced with a problem that is growing more acute each day. Employment Disturbed “Growing disquiet also exists among employees in the industry, because they do not know how long their jobs will last. One motor firm in Auckland, whose normal staff is 150, now employs only 75 people, and this number will be reduced to 40 within the next 10 days, as a direct result of petrol restrictions. The firm has an excellent business connection and a first-class agency, and it also has good stocks of new and used cars, but sales are so slack owing to the impossibility of obtaining adequate petrol that the company has materially reduced staff in nearly every department. “The action of the Government in imposing such heavy restrictions has resulted in petrol companies importing less, and thus smaller stocks are held,” the statement concludes. “Should there be further restrictions, the imports will be still more reduced, as petrol reselling today is a poor business proposition.”