CHEAPER PETROL

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 194, 18 May 1928, Page 8

CHEAPER PETROL

CANTERBURY MOTORISTS ■r OBTAIN CONCESSION

AUTOMOBILE CLUB TO INSTAL PUMPS

Dominion Special Service. Christchurch, May 17.

The news is announced that members of the Canterbury Automobile Association will shortly be able to procure first-grade petrol at reduced rates.

Explaining the position to a reporter to-day. a member of the petrol committee of the association stated that the association had been approached by a company offering to supply any quantity of the spirit at rates below those at present being charged in Christchurch. The company, which was distinct from the big concerns.at present doing business in the city, had delivered a sample of the petrol it was prepared to supply, and this, on being subjected to laboratory, tests, was found to come up to all requirements. A limited supply of the spirit, was already in the hands of the association, and it was anticipated that by the end of July there would be sufficient on hand to meet all deihands for it. It was not considered advisable to divulge the brand of the spirit at the moment, but this would be made known at an early date. The association intended to install C.A.A. pumps at various points in Christchurch, the West Coast and Ashburton. and it was probable that badges would be issued to all financial members of the association desiring to avail themselves of the reduced prices. The membership of the Canterbury Automobile Association stands at close on 4500 at the present time, so if all the members avail themselves of the advantages offered by the scheme, the association should be able to dispose of a huge quantity of petrol in tiie course of twelve months. It is not tiie intention of the association to import petrol itself, all details in respect of this being undertaken by the company which is to supply the spirit. “We have never objected to the profits made by retailers of petrol,” said an official of the association, “but we certainly take objection to those made by the wholesalers as disclosed by the figures supplied to us recently by Mr. T. N. Gibbs. -We know that the companies have installed bulk tanks to hold petrol, but we do not see why motorists should be expected to pav for them as appears to be the case. To judge by the prices that are being charged by the wholesalers at this rate it will not be long before the tanks have been paid for at the expense of the motorists.”