SUPPLIES OF PETROL.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 2 April 1927, Page 13

SUPPLIES OF PETROL.

QUESTION OF THE FUTURE. Conflicting opinions regarding future petrol supplies, while bewildering to motorists, have not yet produced anything line a panicky condition. One day they-are told tnat the supply or petroleum is on the verge of exhaustion, and on the next they are assured that supplies are in sight which will lid their wants for generations. Most statements on the suoject of petroleum reserves are little more than opinions. Geologists have been able to determine with some degree of accuracy the area of oil deposits by drilling wells, but even the most careful estimates of the amount of oil to be obtained from any deposit are subject to unavoidable errors which make them meiely careful guesses. With this in mind one must take any prophecy that is made with several grains ot salt. Certainly there is seriou s disagreement as to the life of known oil deposits, and there is ground to believe that they are not inexhaustible.

The time has come when the motorist must give consideration to the use lie is making of his fuel, and must urge upon the maker of his car the necessity of practising economy of operation in design. While the problem is ultimately one I for the consumer to solve, he is power- • less without the assistance of the engine designer and the car builder. The driver must realise that the pleasure and profit he derives from his car would be seriously jeopardised by a failure of the petroleum supply or a considerable increase in the cost of fuel if substitutes must be employed. Whether or not a stringent shortage of petroleum is imminent remains to be seen, in view of the disagreement of authorities on the subject, but under any circumstances the interest of the drivers of cars can best be served both now and in the future by a united demand for more efficiency in car operation.