LICENSING OF PETROL STATIONS

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 185, 4 May 1936, Page 8

LICENSING OF PETROL STATIONS

Retrospective Legislation MAINTAINING ECONOMIC CONDITIONS Legislation providing for the licensing of petrol reselling stations is to be Introduced Into the House of Representatives by, the Minister of Industries and Commerce, Hon. D. G. Sullivan. The provisions of the measure will be made retrospective. The Minister, Jn an interview on Saturday, said that it had been brought to his notice that since the price of petrol had been fixed in the Wellington district, considerable activity had taken place in the evection of new petrol reselling outlets throughout the country. This no doubt had been occasioned through a desire on the part of those who contemplated commencing business, or reopening those reselling points that had been closed, to participate in any assured margin of profit that would be available to them in the event of price fixation being effected in other districts. “Price fixation has been designed not only to stabilise prices at their existing level,” said Mr. Sullivan, "but to endeavour to maintain an economic number of units in the industry, and any increase in the number of resellig outlets—which are at the present time considered adequate to meet present day requirements in most districts — will seriously affect those already engaged in the industry. “The question of the licensing of petrol service stations is at the present time receiving the close attention of the Government, and it is proposed that such legislation be made retrospective. Any petrol reselling stations, therefore, that have been opened since the date fixed, or contemplate opening, will be the subject of investigation and survey as to whether they may be considered economic units within the locality in which they are situated, and the licenses will be granted or refused accord ingl y