SUPPLY OF KEROSENE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 147, 11 March 1918, Page 4

SUPPLY OF KEROSENE

SHORTAGE ANTICIPATED IN AUSTRALIA. There is (says tho Sydney "Sun") likely to be a shortage of kerosene for illuminating purposes in the winter months, when that oil is most in demand. Supplies for industrial purposes, however, will not bo affected to the same extent. The Vacuum Oil Co. is short of stocks, and tho sales throughout Australia are being restricted. In other words, the company is allowing its customers a certain quantity of kerosene each month until the present stocks are exhausted, which will bo iu about two months' .time. It, is stated that one oi the largest importer;: of kerosene has ceased to import, and is holding the stocks in hand to fill tho Government and other contracts. Ono of the contractors stated that at the prices fixed by the Government it did not pay to brng kerosene to Australia. In respect to tho above announcement an inquiry was mado from tho Vacuum Oil Company as to whether there was likely to be a shortage of kerosene in New Zealand during the winter. The reply was to the effect that according to the present outlook there was no reason to anticipate a shortage in. New Zealand. It was possible, of course, as everything depended upon transport, and no one could say what would happen in that regard, but there were shipments coming along that would supply needs current and for some timo to come. In the meantime the company was not supplying any new customers.