PETROL PRICE IN WESTPORT

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22195, 11 September 1937, Page 16

PETROL PRICE IN WESTPORT

PROTEST ENTERED BY MOTORISTS i CONTRAST WITH CONDITIONS IN CANTERBURY [TUB PRESS Special Service.] WESTPORT, September 10.. A strong protest against what was described as the excessive price of petrol in Westport was voiced by members of the Westport branch of the Automobile Association,. Canterbury, at the annual meeting to-night. It was said that the local price of 2s 4d and 2s 5d a gallon was 5d a gallon dearer than Christchurch, and speakers held that this difference could not be wholly accounted for by transport costs. It was decided to request the executive of the association to inquire into the price of petrol in Westport. The discussion was initiated by'Mr L. Larsen, who said he would 15ke to know whether the price could be fixed in Westport The present orice was. he understood, the highest in New Zealand. A motion asking the executive to investigate the position was moved by Mr A. A. Wilson and seconded by Mr R. H. Betts, who said that not mly" Buller, but the whole of the West Coast, paid too much for petrol. It would be more convenient to bring petrol to Westport by sea, but wharfage charges were ridiculously high. Mr Betts said he favoured the suggestion that there should be a uniform price for petrol all over New Zealand. Canterbury, with good roads, had the best of everything. "We don't wear our tyres out. We cut them out" he added. The chief reason for the high price in Westport was that there was not provision for the bulk storage of petrol in the town. The motion was carried.