PETROL FROM COAL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 28, 13 November 1934, Page 5

PETROL FROM COAL.

NEW GERMAN SCHEME. INDEPENDENCE THE AIM. 'LONDON, Nov. 1. How Herr Hitler aims at making Germany independent of foreign petrol is revealed in plans for the compulsory formation of a company for the production of motor spirit from brown coal. Ten leading firms, including foreign interests, will be represented and the initial capital will be jus]; under £5,000,000. .>••'. ■:.:'.' The two new hydrogenation plants will use the German Dye. Trust'is process and produce 500,000 tons of spirit. a year. ' ■ •' The Chemical Trust works will increase their capacity to 350,000 tons. Tims the aggregate is approaching the 1,000,000 tons which Germany imports annually, and which is expected to be reached in 1937. It is understood that the new plants will be established in central Germany, offering strategical advantages. Nevertheless, the powers exercised in connection with the formation of the company are criticised as a, serious threat to industrialism. The move may also produccv difficulties in revenue, as Germany heavily taxes foreign motor "spirit;