Economising Petrol
The petrol-cut is a matter of public importance, for in spite of the number of cars laid up millions of people are still dependent on motor-transport of one kind and another. For many of them, particularly those living in the country at some distance from railways, life has been largely based on the car, and though the basis of life must be disturbed ruthlessly if the national interest requires it, there has been quite enough dis- turbance as it is to make any gratuitous addition to it un- desirable. But public attention has been focussed on a small minority who have used their cars to take them to horse-races and dog-tracks, and it is rightly demanded that this scandal be stopped. The Government has acted reasonably in reducing the basic ration slightly and exacting guarantees that the sup- plementary ration, which is granted for specific purposes, shall not be abused. It is vitally important that there should be no waste of petrol, either by civilians or by the Army, but in exist- ing circumstances there must be no unnecessary waste of time, either. In many cases it is clearly in the national interest to grant a little petrol to enable the car-owner to save time in travelling and devote it to work of national importance.
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