EMPTY PETROL TINS

Evening Star, Issue 19710, 10 November 1927, Page 3

EMPTY PETROL TINS

STILL ENOUGH FOB ALL Ever since tho extensive use of motor vehicles in New Zealand there has been more than an abundant supply of empty petrol tins. In spite of the fact that these tins have been utilised in a variety of ways, both in town and in country, many thousands of them had lo be destroyed each year by motor spirit dealers. Following on the advent of the oil-tanker, the petrol lorry, and the bowser, came persistent minors and fancies that the great little utility petrol tin will bo lost to the public for ever. This is a groundless fear, especially if those tins which still enme into the country are taken care of. . In conversation with a Star’ reporter this morning, tho manager of a big firm which deals largely in motor spirit stated that last year about 6,000,000 tins (the lowest possible estimate) were imported into New Zealand—that is, approximately, five tins to every inhabitant. What was the country going to do with all those when they were empty? Allowing for an importation of only ,10 per cent, of tins number for the present year, there would still be enough for general purposes. Petrol was still being brought into the dominion in tins, mainly by dealers in outside brands. The speaker, however, did not consider that the tin of to-day was the equal in quality of those of some years ago. Inasmuch as the merchants were content to handle containers which gave satisfaction as regards their petrol-carrying capacity, no effort was ueing made to supply the public with unlimited ash buckets and impromptu building material. If this were so, an extra charge would be made for the Jus. He considered that it paid town folks to give a few extra shillings for a really serviceable ash tin and farmers to invest in buckets of stout, long-lasting material. The modern empty petrol tin was merely a makeshift, to bo cast into a tip or under a hedge at very short notice. Fifteen years or so ago, when there was very litle motoring in New Zealand, the public, in search of utility tins, seemed to get every satisfaction from the kerosene containers. If these were still stowed away carefully after being emptied it would ho found that there would be more than enough to supply the demand.