Assn to promote L.P.G.

Press, 22 February 1978, Page 2

Assn to promote L.P.G.

In "one of the most important steps” taken by the Gas Association, a Liquefied Petroleum Gas Association has been formed. The chairman of the new association is Mr C. W.l Kennedy, general manager of the Christchurch Gas, Coal,| and Coke Company, Ltd.

He said that the formation df the association was the most important step taken by the Gas .Association in the last two years. The orderly marketing of L.P.G. had always been carried out by gas associations throughout the world, said Mr Kennedy. The new association would have a say, as the existing gas distributor, in the distribution,

safety, and applicances associated with L.P.G. The association was formed last September by members of the Gas Association. It is believed that a similar association was being considered by the oil !industry at the same time. Some delegates at the gas association’s annual meeting [yesterday expressed misgivings about the new association.

Mr E. Ardron, general manager-Engineer of the Blenheim Borough Council, felt that a separate organisation would serve only to fragment the efforts of the gas industry. “We want integration, not separation,” he said.

Other delegates were concerned that they had not been invited to the original committee.

Mr Kennedy said that an annual meeting would be held in about two mcnths,

and he expected that there would be a full representation of all interested parties.

The aims of the association are to "promote and develop the L.P.G. industry and to coordinate its activities to the end that it may serve to the fullest possible extent the best interests of the public.” Manufacturing methods, education, and research figure prominently in the association’s objects. “With a potential of 400,000 tonnes of L.P.G. available how is it going to be marketed?” asked Mr Kennedy. “Eighty per cent of the L.P.G. is said by some to be destined for the transport sector.” Mr Kennedy said that the manufactured gas industry was interested in using about 40,000 tonnes a year as a feedstock if it could be obtained at a reasonable price.