OIL AND PETROL.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 6 March 1926, Page 16

OIL AND PETROL.

EVIL OF SUBSTITUTION. With the ever increasing popularity of the motor-car, large sums are being expanded every year by motorists for supplies of lubricating oil and petrol. Over'so per cent, of the troubles in the present-day car, can be traced directly to inefficient lubrication, and the cat owner should have every protection when purchasing supplies. Sometimes a purchaser demands a high-grade lubricant of a well-known brand and grade, which he knows is correct for his engine, and is supplied with a poor quality oil at a high price, after being led to believe by some unscrupulous dealer that he is getting what he asked for ‘‘A,” “BB,” etc. That is not sufficient, as these’ are merely letters used to designate the various grades. The purchaser should make a practice -of specifying the brand and grade he requires, and he has every right to be supplied with it. If he is supplied with something else without a proper explanation, that is substitution, and the description is misrepresentation. Recently, this matter was the subject of a conference of the Commonwealth Association of Automobile Organisations, and it was decided: (1) That the attention of the authorities be directed to the practice of certain vendors supplying low grade petrol and oil as first grade, and that for the protection of motorists, action be taken under the Weights and Measures Act and Sales of Goods Act in each State.

(2) That it is desirable and essential that the brand of the petrol and oil be displayed on the pumps. This is undoubtedly a move in the right direction. A similar arrangement in Nez Zealand would ensure a fair deal and be a boon and a blessing to the motorist.