RUSH FOR PETROL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 150, 26 June 1937, Page 10

RUSH FOR PETROL.

DRIVERS STILL ON STRIKE.

SETTLEMENT PROSPECTS BRIGHTER.

SUPPLIES FOR ESSENTIAL SERVICES.

Drivers of petrol delivery wagons in Auckland who ceased work yesterday morning as a protest against not having been I granted the 40-hour week are still on strike. ] To-day there has been a frantic rush by owners of motor vehicles for supplies of petrol, with the result that bowsers in the city are running short of supplies. The disruption illustrates the (act that the city literally lives on oil. Bakers, grocers and other .suppliers of household commodities view the situation with grave concern, and the city's big fleet of taxis will operate just as long as the supplies in hand last. Fears that essential city services might be crippled were allayed this mornmg when it was announced that arrangements had been made to ensure that such services would be supplied with fuel oil and petrol. These services include hospitals, ambu--ances doctors and fire brigades. Where applications were made for supplies to-day they were met, but the directors of the dispute for the men insist that permits must be secured before they will release petrol in any case. Further attempts were made throughout the forenoon to effect a settlement of the dispute, and this afternoon it was stated that prospects of a settlement were hopeful, and that picketing .i oy the men would be abandoned meantime.