The Herald

75 years ago

SALISBURY, 16 January 1942. — Under the new petrol regulations it is to be hoped that an end will be put to the most unbecoming scramble that for several days, to speak frankly, has been no credit to the motoring public of Salisbury.

Admittedly the system-that is going out was not well conceived, and the matter of its introduction left nearly everything to be desired. At the same time the fundamental facts of the situation were quite clear; a saving was one-quarter of the previous normal consumption. With a spirit of cooperation this could have been done without inflicting any hardship on anybody.

But instead of the spirit of cooperation being given a chance, a few selfish ones started the race to secure themselves against having to make any sacrifice, and then the landslide of grabbing as much as possible began, inflicting real hardships on many and particularly upon those who had tried to carry out the principle of economising.