FROM THE ARCHIVES:Petrol rationing was introduced shortly after the Second World War began, with a relatively generous allowances of eight coupons a month, allowing 12 gallons or 54.5 litres, for a small car. That was suddenly cut to a quarter gallon per coupon from the start of 1941: this editorial reflected on the new situation. – JOE JOYCE
IN CONSEQUENCE of last night’s Order, private motoring, for most practical purposes, will come to an end in Éire. Owners of “baby” cars – that is to say, of cars of eight horse-power and less, will be allotted two gallons of petrol a month, while those who own cars of twelve to fourteen horse-power will be allotted three gallons. In other words, the unit which originally was one gallon, and afterwards was increased to one gallon and a half has been reduced to one-quarter of a gallon, or one-sixth of its former volume. This condition of affairs will continue at least until the end of the present month; presumably, the situation will be reviewed by the Government then, although there can be no guarantee that the petrol ration will be increased. The fact is that supplies are not available at the moment, and that such stocks as are in the country must be ear-marked for public transport and other national services. Manifestly, so long as there is any petrol in the country, doctors, for example, must be given priority in respect of supplies. For a busy medical man with a fourteen horse-power car, particularly in the country districts, three gallons of petrol monthly would be almost useless. Their work is of national importance par excellence.
Doubtless, there are other sections of the community that will demand special treatment; but, when all is said and done, the interests of the State must come before those of any individual or group of individuals. The Irish Government cannot be blamed altogether for the present shortage of petrol and oil supplies. The war has been in progress for sixteen months; and, although for some time past petrol has been rationed, the motorists in Éire have been far better off in respect of supplies than those of any other country in Europe. Visitors to Ireland have been astonished at the density of private motor traffic on our roads; and it hardly is too much to say that, despite the official rationing of petrol, nine motorists out of ten scarcely have felt the pinch. Now the time has come when hard facts must be faced. Éire has no tankers of her own. The laws of the United States stop American vessels from entry to our ports; and virtually all the available “neutral” tankers in the world have been chartered by the British government. Éire, therefore, must depend for her petrol supplies on Great Britain. The British themselves are running short at a time when they need every drop of petrol for military purposes; and they hardly can be expected to give much consideration to Éire’s requirements. This country managed to exist long before the internal combustion engine ever was heard of; it must learn to exist without motor-cars again.
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