PETROL ISSUE

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21230, 28 September 1940, Page 12

PETROL ISSUE

SOUTH ISLAND VIEWS MOTOR UNION RESOLUTION (By Telegraph.—Press Association) CHRISTCHURCH, Friday The South Island Motor Union carried the following resolution at its annual meeting today:— “That we definitely consider that the question of the petrol allocation, especially in view of the trade statistics for the first five months of 1939 and 1940, and also in regard to the disruption of the industry and commerce of the Dominion, and the consequent effect upon the general morale of the community, should be taken up strongly by motor unions with a view to aiming at an allowance consonant with what is proposed to be given in Australia.” The Government was attacked by delegates, who alleged changes of policy and unwillingness to give the real reasons for the restrictions. Both North Island and South Island representatives expressed their determination to fight the Government hard. A petition is to be sent to Parliament and, if necessary, a delegation will press the Ministers of Finance, Transport and Supply for categorical answers. “BIT OF NONSENSE” SOLDIERS AND PETROL COMMENT ON MINISTERS (By Telegraph.—Press Association) CHRISTCHURCH, Friday “There is something wrong when Ministers of the Crown can roam round the country at large in cars and enjoy themselves, while soldiers on final leave cannot get petrol,” said Mr P. F. Harris, secretary of the Otago Association, at the South Island Motor Union’s annual meeting. He protested vigorously against • the ruling of the Oil Fuel Controller j that a special petrol allowance could j not be made available for soldiers ! on final leave to enable them to visit | relatives in country districts, j The meeting was invited by Mr j Harris to make a strong protest i against “this bit of nonsense.” j “Whether the Oil Fuel Controller or i the regulations are responsible I do | not know, but it does seem to me | that persons sitting comfortably in j high places can arbitrarily turn down | a reasonable request like that,” Mr I Harris said, “although they may not come back and they want to have a j last look round the country. Petrol is allowed for up to 300 miles in England, where there is a real war, and it should be done here.” Mr J. H. Main (Oamaru) suggested that there had been a change | of front, as he knew of a case where ; a pilot-sergeant on final leave had ' obtained 14 gallons in Christchurch j to visit Oamaru. j The union decided to make a protest and to ask for a universal rule.

READERS’ QUERIES

“Interested.”—Japan flirt not hesitate ror long: lu taking- sides in the last great struggle. declaring war on Germany on August 23, 10 13. Italy declared war on Austria-Hungary on .May i’3. 1915 and on (formally on August 28, 1916. “Yankee.” —The llrst casualty sutivnvl i>y the American Army in the lOlt-is World War was Lieutenant W. T. Fitzsimmons, M.R.C., who was killed by a bomb dropped from an aeroplane. “Soldier.”—The swastika became Germany’s national emblem—replacing- tnr former German flag (black, red. yellow horizontal stripes)—on September 1 •=> 1935, by order or Adoir Hitler, who announced the fact at the Nuremberg 'Conference. “Contrast.”—AlTred Nobel, the P-wedisr rounder or the fund for Nobel prizes perfeoied the manufacture of nitro-g-lvcerin, and the inconvenience or tnr liquid explosive led him in isr.n to inn the liquid with absm-hent. earth forming dynamite. In 1873 lie invented troi: a - nite. lie died in 1396 and under hiwill he set aside £1,700,000, the Inter est on which was lo be devoted V awarding five prizes each year to men and women eminent in (1) physic-, cr chemistry, (3) physiology or medicine ( i , literature, or an idealistic tendency, and (5) the cause of peace. The prize* are open to all nationalities.