MORE PETROL

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21222, 19 September 1940, Page 8

MORE PETROL

PETITION; PREPARED INDIVIDUALS TO SIGN I 320 MILES A MONTH ASKED (By Telegraph.—Special to Tlmee) WELLINGTON, Thursday Signatures to a petition asking Parliament to have the petrol rations increased are to be invited from individual users of petrol. The petition will request that private motorists be allowed to buy sufficient peirol for them to drive 320 miles a month instead of 160 as at present and to accumulate coupons for holidays. Explaining the petition on behalf of the New Zealand Motor Trade Federation to the annual meeting of the New Zealand Petrol Resellers’ Association, Mr W. Hill said he had yet to see an effective answer to the statements advocating a relaxation of petrol restrictions that had been made by the president of the federation, Mr C. R. Edmond. Other organisations also had put forward their views, but it was felt that any statements on behalf of trade organizations might be suspect. For that reason it was thought that the public and groups of people who were interested as consumers in the relaxation of the restrictions should voice their opinions publicly. Commercial travellers, the North Island Motor Union, the South Island Motor Union, carriers and taxi owners were included in that class. The federation had called a meeting of representatives of them and the opinion had been expressed that the public should be allowed to sigpp a petition. This would be printed in a few days. Provision for Debate The petition was addressed to Parliament so that it would be debated on the floor of the House, and it was to be from petrol consumers, not the i trade. Mr Hill read a draft of the petition, which sets out arguments why the restrictions should be relaxed, and asks that the allowances to private users be increased to quantities that will allow 320 miles a month, four gallons for motorcycles, eight gallons for cars up to 9.5 h.p., 12 gallons for cars between 9.5 h.p. and 14.7 h.p., and 16 gallons for cars over 14.7 h.p., and that the allowance of taxis and other commercial users be increased to approximate more closely to their true needs. It also asks that consumers be allowed to accumulate coupons for at least two months for use on annual holidays. The request is also made that steps should be taken to ensure stability of rationing policy for at least six months. The petition states that thses allowances could be made without increasing the total consumption beyond 7,000,000 gallons a month. Mr Hill said that even if the Government were to allow motorists to use three coupons a month instead of two, as at present, the petition should continue to be signed. ECONOMY AFFECTED CLAIM OF MOTOR TRADE BRITISH APPEAL QUOTED (By Telegraph.—Piesa Association) WELLINGTON, Thursday Claiming that supplies of petrol issued in New Zealand were so low that the economic life of the country was being affected, the New Zealand Motor Trade Federation’s annual meeting this morning supported the president, Mr C. R. Edmond, in his statement that another million gallons a month was required. Mr Edmond produced a letter from a large British motor manufacturer in which an appeal was made for a market in New Zealand. “We would like to respond to that appeal,” he said, “but we cannot unless there is some easement in the petrol situation. “On the one hand we have the High Commissioner for the United Kingdom telling us that we must conserve petrol, and on the other one of the leading motor manufacturers in England pleading with us to buy their goods. There must be some place in the middle where we can meet and do both things.” Mr W. E. Hill said the industry had never opposed petrol rationing as a principle, but contended there was a point beyond which rationing could not go without serious effect on the economic life of the Dominin. SUBSTITUTE FUELS MILEAGE TAX NOT PAYABLE (By Telegraph.—Press AssocUtlon) WELLINGTON, Thursday Regulations gazetted today repeal the provisions of the Motor Vehicles Amendment Act requiring owners of vehicles propelled by producer gas, coal gas or other approved substitute fuels to pay mileage tax. In future no such tax will be payable. Operators of the vehicles concerned are, however, expected to furnish at the usual time for this month a return of mileage up to September 19. Under the new regulations heavy vehicles not driven by petrol are allowed an extra quarter of a ton in respect to laden or unladen weights permitted on classified and unclassified roads if by reason of the fitting of any apparatus for using substitute fuels the statutory dimensional limitations of the vehicle are exceeded. Written permission may be given by * the Commissioner of Transport for a vehicle to operate with the increased dimensions.