SALE OF PETROL

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 153, 25 March 1938, Page 13

SALE OF PETROL

Cost Of Administering Licensing System FEES TO BE CHARGED, Rates For Wholesale And Retail Trade Regulations were gazetted last evening imposing licence fees in connection with the wholesale and retail sale of motor spirits. These fees have been introduced merely to cover the cost of administering the licensing system in regard to the sale of motor spirits, which has been in operation under the Industrial Efficiency Act since December 10, 1936. The fees come into force as from April 1 and will be payablealong with and in addition to the explosive and dangerous goods licence fees. Applications for licences are .to be accompanied by an application fee of

£l. Before any wholesale licence is issued there shall be payable a licence fee of the amount following: (a) If the licensee has during the year ended on December 31 next preceding the day of commencement of the licence carried on the importation of motor spirit, the fee shall be the sum of £lO for every 1,000,000 gallons or part of 1,000,000 gallons of motor spirit imported by the licensee during that year. (b) If. the licensee has not during that year carried on the importation of motor spirit, the fee shall be a sum of £lO Before any retail licence is issued there shall be payable a licence fee of the amounts following: (a) In respect of every pump referred to in the licence the sum of £J. (b) Where the terms of the' licence permit the licensee to deliver motor spirit otherwise than by a pump, a sum of £1 for very 10,060 gallons dr part of 10,000 gallons of motor spirit so delivered by the licensee during the year ended on December 31 next preceding the day of commencement of the licence up to a maximum fee Of £10: '(e) Where the terms' of the licence permit the- licensee to deliver motor spirit otherwise than by a pump, but no motor spirit lias been so delivered by the licensee during the relevant year, the sum of £ll In each case the amount of the appli-' cation fee will be deducted from the licence fee payable, but the former is not'payable in the case of people in business on April 1. There is also a scale of fees for dpplications to vary the conditions of licences or for leave'to transfer licences. Appeals must be accompanied by a deposit of £2, but the amount is repayable if thfe'appellant is successful. Applications Dealt With. “No fewer than 1790, various applications have been dealt with by the Bureau, of Industry, and I think it will be readily agreed that it is reasonable to expect the industry, for whose protection. the licensing is in force, to contribute toward the cost of the administration of the system and the necessary Investigations which are required in every instance,” said the Minister of Industries and Commerce, Hon. D. G‘. Sullivan,, in: an accompanying state:, meat issued last, night. “The question, of the imposition of licensing fees was referred by me to the . New Zealand Petrol Resellers’ Association and . this body has assured me that it fully, recognises the advantage of the stability gained under the licensing system and price-fixation regulations, and consequently it is quite in accord with the principle, of licensing fees.” '.

The Minister, said he was pleased to note that already preliminary discussions had taken place between the Petrol Resellers’ Association and the Garage Proprietors’ Association with a view to preparing an industrial plan under the Industrial Efficiency Act. “I appreciate this endeavour to implement the spirit of the Act,” lie added, ‘‘as I have always held the opinion that planning designed to bring orderly method;? and stability into business and at the same time enabling it to render better service is a necessary corollary of the licensing system.” Desire of Government. •> “The Government is desirous of deal ing with representative organisations of industries rather than . individuals, and- it is therefore desirable, in my opinion, for the.successful introduction of a plan that all those engaged in the industry should "be' -associated with their representative organisations. “I would like.lb.mention that, under the Industrial Efficiency Act fees imposed by way of licensing cam only be levied to the extent of the cost of administering the licensing system. In the present instance it must be remembered that ho fees have been, paid-, as yet, though the' system has been oper ating since December, 1936. In effect, therefore, the present fees are to coyer the expenses incurred for the period from December, '1936, to April, 1939. “I feel that the. -petrol reselling industry has never been on such a sound footing, and the Government can justly claim to have kept its promise to stabilise conditions within the industry. The resellers themselves have from time to time, voiced their appreciation of the Government’s, efforts in connection with the industry, and I now look forward to their proposals for the formulation of an industrial plan in which at all times I can assure the resellers they will have the co-operation of my department.”