Fuel costs alarm carriers

Press, 13 September 1982, Page 26

Fuel costs alarm carriers

Wellington reporter

South Canterbury transport firms are alarmed at what they see as Government fuel-pricing policies which put them at a disadvantage. The president of the South Canterbury branch of the Road Transport Association, Mr J. G. Cleland, of Cave, said the disadvantage would affect all South Island carriers.

The recent fuel price increase had been in part to encourage the use of liquid petroleum gas and compressed natural gas. he said.

It had been found that the expected support for these fuels had not been up to the Government's expectations. ’, While some attempt was being made to make L.P.G. and C.N.G. available in the South Island, it was clear that it would be many years before this was achieved and manv South Islanders were at a distinct disadvantage, he said. The South Canterbury branch would take a remit at the association's annual conference in Wellington later in September, urging that the point be taken up at a

national level. South Canterbury was also concerned at the deteriorating quality of diesel fuel available. Mr Cleland said. Diesel supplied to the colder parts of the country this winter had been of poor quality. Filters had become clogged with wax. causing engine failure, and costly remedies had been necessary. Engine failures and the cost of expensive fuel'additives were not acceptable, he said.