Petrol Supplies

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 286, 29 August 1931, Page 9

Petrol Supplies

Sir, —May I point out through your columns an error in Mr. Donald’s statement re State petrol monopoly. He says that the wholesale price of petrol in England is 1/24, whereas that is the retail price. The wholesale price, therefore, is much lower. Whence, then, comes the extra BJd. that we have to pay? It is not because of extra freightage for the difference in distance between U.S.A, and England and U.S.A. and New Zealand. The cost of petrol in California is 2}d. generally, but even going down as far as Id. per gallon—second grade stuff it is true; but the first grade spirit will surely not cost more than 4d. Why, then, does New Zealand remain the happy hunting ground of the > American oil combinations? America is riot the only country in the world that produces oil, and if they boycotted us, as they most probably would do if the State took over the petrol, we could go to Britain, as we should have long ago. Why not try our own oil?. If ell reports are true the oil wells in Taranaki should provide a quality of benzine entirely suitable for our needs. Mr. "Donald also stated that the petrol we get in New Zealand is of a much- higher grade than that supplied in England. That is wrong. The petrol supplied here is the same as supplied to English consumers. He even went as far as to say that ojir grade of petrol is used as aviation spirit at Home. If that is correct, why <lo not the aero people here use it instead of buying the more expensive aviation spirit which is used? In conclusion, perhaps it would be better for Mr. Donald to. become better acquainted with this subject before attempting a discourse on it again.—l am, etc., A.E.A. Wellington, August 25.