PETROL SELLING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 104, 4 May 1936, Page 5

PETROL SELLING.

LICENSED STATIONS. LEGISLATION INTENDED. TO BE RETROSPECTIVE. (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. The licensing of petrol reselling stations will be provided for in a bill which is to be introduced in the present session of Parliament by the Minister of Industries and Commerce (Hon. D. G. Sullivan). The legislation will be made retrospective. In a statement made on Saturday the Minister said it had been brought to his notice that since the price of petrol had been fixed in Wellington district considerable activity had taken place in the erection of new petrol reselling outlets throughout the country: This had no doubt been occasioned by a desire on the part of those who contemplated commencing business or reopening those reselling points that had been closed to participate in any assured margin of profit that would be available to them in the event of price fixation being effected in other districts. . "Price fixation lias been designed, said the Minister, "not only to stabilise prices at their existing _ level, but also in an endeavour to maintain an economic number of units in the .ndustiy, and any increase in the number of reselling outlets —which are at the present time Considered adequate to P r ®". sent day requirements in most districts will seriously affect those alieady engaged in the industry. The question of° the licensing of petrol service stations is at present receiving the close attention of the Government and it is proposed that such legislation be made retrospective. Any petro reselling stations therefore that have been opened since the date fixed or the contemplated opening will be the subject of investigation and survey as to whether they may be considered economic units within the locality in which they are situated, and licenses will be granted or refused accordingly."