BULK SUPPLY OF PETROL

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27213, 3 December 1953, Page 12

BULK SUPPLY OF PETROL

INSTALLATIONS ON FARMS SOUGHT

If in a year a farmer purchases 4800 gallons of motor spirits, he is entitled to be classed as a bulk consumer, and as such, is entitled to be supplied at bulk consumer rates whether he has a tank installed or not. This information was received by the executive of the North Canterbury provincial district of Federated Farmers yesterday, from Mr J. C. Adams, the federation’s transport officer, who forwarded a letter he had received on the question from the Minister of Industries and Commerce (Mr J. T. Watts). Recently the North Canterbury executive discussed a remit that “full inquiries be made re the installation of petrol bowsers on farms.” At that meeting, the secretary (Mr A. E. G. Lyttle) reported that the majority of offices had referred the matter to their offices in Wellington and one company had replied that it was a matter for farmers as the company did not undertake the installation of bowsers. It was finally resolved ‘‘that the companies be asked that if the farmer installs his own bowser, will they service it; and, if not, why?” The resolution was forwarded to the federation’s headquarters. Mr Watts’s letter contained excerpts from the Motor Spirits Price Regulations, defining a bulk consumer and stating the conditions under which they could be supplied with petrol at the bulk Consumer ’ price. Mr Adams said in his letter that the Department of Industries and Commerce had advised him that the Minister would be prepared to take up with the oil companies any specific case which the federation could report to him of a farmer being denied bulk consumer rates when that consumer had complied with the qualifications outlined in the regulations. Mr G. H. Blair said very few farmers used 4800 gallons of petrol a year. What the executive was concerned about was the obtaining of bulk installations on farms for farmers who used less than the minimum amount. * Mr A. C. R. Robinson said the main problem was getting either the tanks or the bowsers.