HIGHER RATION

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21232, 1 October 1940, Page 4

HIGHER RATION

NOVEMBER PETROL INCREASE FOR PRIVATE CARS FORECAST BY MINISTER (By Telegraph —Press A ,relation) WELLINGTON, Tuesday The Minister of Supply, the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, announced an unspecified increase to be granted in the ration of petrol for private motor-cars in November. The Minister’s sta’.ement followed an announcement by the Oil Fuel Controller, Mr G. L. Laurenson, that petrol coupons numbered 10 and 11 would be available for use during October. Mr Sullivan said it was expected that by the end of October the reserves of motor spirit would have reached an amount that would permit of an increase being made in the petrol allowance granted to private cars. Consequently there would be an increase in the ration for November. DESIRE FOR INCREASE MOTORISTS IN WAIKATO PETITION TO GOVERNMENT The desire of Waikato motorists for a revision of the petrol allowance for private users is indicated by the support for the New Zealand Motor Trade Federation's petition to the Government, which has been received in Hamilton by garage proprietors for circulation among motor - ists. The petition has been open for a few days only. Signatories of the petition ask the Government to revise the petrol allowances to private users so that motor-cycles may have 4 gallons a month, cars up to 9i h.p., 8 gallons, cars over 9j h.p. and up to 14.7 h.p., 12 gallons, and cars over 14.7 h.p., 16 gallons, which would give all users sufficient petrol for about 320 miles a month. Although a revision in the petrol allowances for private users in November is announced in a Ministerial statement, a trader in Hamilton stated today that he did not consider the announcement would influence the need for pursuing the petition. Until a definite quantity was announced by the Government, and until that allowance reached the amount sought by the Federation, it was still in the interests ef ail motorists to sign the petition. -TO Position Of Commercial Users In the petition it is claimed that the allowance for taxis and other commercial users should be increased by the amounts necessary to approximate more closely to their true heeds. The right was also claimed for all users to accumulate their coupons for a period of at least two months for vacations and other purposes. Supporting the petition, the Federation put forth 20 points for the consideration of the Government, Pointing out that there was no shortage of fuel in the world and that adequate tankers were available fer the New Zealand trade, the Federation stated that the petrol used in motor-cars and trucks was not the same as that consumed by bomber and fighter aircraft. New Zealand’s restrictions were more severe than in any other British country, despite the fact that 69 per cent of the countries’ imports were from the Netherlands East Indies, which had joined the sterling bloc. The suggested scale of rationing would cost the country only £320,000 sterling extra in a full year. Under present conditions, however, the country was losing £1,837,500 in home currency in loss of petrol tax alone. If the £320,000 sterling were spent to increase the allowance, the petrol taxation collection would increase by £735,000, New Zealand currency. __