Petrol price rise to go to Cabinet

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33434, 16 January 1974, Page 1

Petrol price rise to go to Cabinet

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, January 15.

A firm proposal for higher petrol prices will be taken to the Cabinet next Tuesday by the Minister of Energy Resources (Mr Freer).

He will meet senior representatives of the so major oil companies and Government officials be in his office again tomorrow morning after 01 which he will draw up proposals to meet the de oil situation. pi

Mr Freer said in an interview tonight that negotiations with the oil companies had concluded at official level.

The big issue has been the question of continuing supplies and at what price. “Last week the companies were unable to supply reliable information on the costs of fuel already on its way to New Zealand,” Mr Freer said.

He hoped that he would have this information tomorrow.

Mr Freer said that he would hold weekly meetings with the oil companies from now on until the situation clarifies.

Rationing denied

The Prime Minister (Mr Kirk) has again strongly denied that the Government intends introducing petrol rationing shortly.

He said in an interview today:“Rationing will be the absolute last resort and many other things will be tried before rationing would be adopted.”

He had been asked to comment on a newspaper report that February 6 was the likely date for the introduction of rationing. “No ration tickets of any

sort have been printed, have been drawn up or have been ordered.

“We are getting a great deal of co-operation from the public and I hope, though they have done well, that they will continue to save more petrol.

“I would hope that every newspaper would do its best to urge everyone to make maximum economies and when they get stories such as this one they send the mischief-maker back with a flea in his ear and approach the Minister who will give them frank and full answers,” he said.