Freight rise on Tasman

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33446, 30 January 1974, Page 3

Freight rise on Tasman

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, January 29.

The recently announced increases in the cost of fuel oils would be felt by, and have an impact on, practically all segments of the economy, the Minister of Trade and industry (Mr Freer) said today.

It had already been learned that the Australian Shippers Council had decided to add a fuel surcharge of 2.98 per cent to freight rates applicable to cargo carried across the Tasman, he said in a statement. In line with that decision the Union Steam Ship Company had approached the

Government for approval of a similar surcharge to be applied to cargo shipped from New Zealand to Australia, from February 1. Mr Freer said the Government was “giving urgent at-

tention,” to the effects of the additional fuel costs, and a policy statement would be made soon. The Minister said he was not in a position to prejudge any application for financial relief from the effects of the increases in fuel and bunkerage costs, but that in appropriate cases the absorptive capacity of the industry would be taken into account in determining what part of the increased costs might be passed on. Arrangements for motorists to buy petrol for emergency travel at the week-end will be made by the Government, particularly in cases of family sickness or bereavement.

Restrictions on week-end petrol sales will come into effect on February 9, when service stations will close from noon on Saturdays until 7 a.m. on Mondays.

The Ministry of Energy Resources today confirmed that it had been asked by the Minister (Mr Freer) to begin drafting regulations on weekend fuel sales. A spokesman for the Ministry said from Wellington today that for emergency travel at week-ends because of sickness or death in a family, motorists would be able to apply to an authority, yet to be established, for a permit to buy enough petrol to cover their needs.

But people undertaking normal travel, such as driving south after crossing in the Cook Strait ferry, would not be able to refuel. The spokesman said local authorities, the police, or the Ministry of Transport were authorities who might be empowered to issue emergency permits. Diesel fuel might be exempt from the week-end embargo, but heavy vehicles with petrol engines would be in the same category as private cars. Emergency vehicles, public transport, and bread and milk delivery trucks might be exempt from the regulations. “However, the situation regarding refuelling for chartered buses carrying sports people or tours during the week-end has not yet been decided,” the spokesman said. “It is possible, depending on how supplies are later in the year, that the Government may consider this fuel use not justified at the week-end.”