DIESEL SUPPLY QUOTA Contractor fears business ruin

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33423, 3 January 1974, Page 2

DIESEL SUPPLY QUOTA Contractor fears business ruin

(A’ew Zealand Press Association

AUCKLAND, January 2.

The diesel supply crisis could force a young Auckland agricultural contractor out of business, he says.

He is Mr David Taylor, j aged 25, who says he has been told by an oil company that he can have only 60 gallons of diesel to last from now until March. At his present, rate of work, he says. 60 gallons would last hint two days. Allocations of diesel are being made on a quarterly basis, and contractors are being allowed the same quantity for the December-Janu-ary-February period as they used last year. "But last summer was when we had the big drought,” said Mr Taylor today. “There was so little hay-; making being done after; Christmas that 1 went on i holiday. This year is completely different. I’ve got farmers all over the place who want hay harvested. The ( haymaking season will probably go for another six weeks." FARMERS’ FUEL During last year Mr Taylor invested about $30,000 in his business and he now runs five tractors and two harvesters. He is trying to keep the business going by using diesel belonging to the farm- , ers whose hay he cuts. “That can’t go on forever. This 60 gallons will be gone jin a couple of days and if I can’t get a decent supply after that I’ll probably go broke.”

farmers through the winter. I The Minister of Energy Re-' 1 sources (Mr Freer) said on < December 22 that he would ' be prepared to study the case | of an agricultural contractor in Sanson, Manawatu, who. was in a similar position tor Mr Taylor. Il

Today, Mr Freer said that Mr Taylor should take his ;case to the Department of Trade and Industry. He said there had been cases in other areas of farmers being (allowed an increased allocation.

Mr Taylor said the effect on farmers could also be very serious. Other contractors were in a similar position. If hay was not cut there would be no feed to see