Petrol Rationing in New Zealand, 1939-1946

Abstract

Petrol rationing, officially described as Oil Fuel Control, was one of the first checks on the liberties of New Zealanders which war forced the New Zealand Government to impose. Most of the other wartime controls have now disappeared. Petrol rationing, by no means the least onerous, still remains. Possibly it might be argued that a clearer picture of its effects might be traced if study of it were deferred until the issues were less clouded by prejudice and propaganda. Nevertheless, if this were done much of the atmosphere and contemporary feeling on the subject, and possibly reliable records, might well be lost, and with them the opportunity of recording the effects of an entirely new departure in administrative practice and its results as reflected in the life of the people. There can be no denying that the greatest significance of petrol rationing is to be found in its economic effects. Yet while this is obvious, its effects on other aspects of the life of the community cannot be ignored. In no previous war in which New Zealand was engaged has such control been imposed with such implications for the social life and development of the people. Moreover, it is probably one of the best examples of administrative innovation which, with others similarly inspired, is still having its effect on the life of the people, though its severity has been mitigated in comparison with war time.