A PETROL FAMINE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXIII, Issue 15919, 3 May 1912, Page 6

A PETROL FAMINE.

Chihstchuhch appears to be on the verge of a petrol famine, and if the gloomy predictions of the dealers are fulfilled the majority of the city's motor-cars will be forced to go out of commission temporarily before new stores can be obtained a week or two hence. Even the motor-cycles may cease to dash perilously about cur streots. There are some citizens who will regard the prospect with a certain amount of equanimity, born of a deeprooted prejudice against petrol and all its ways, but the situation i has its serious aspect. We have grown as a community to depend on the motor-car for many daily services and it is startling to be reminded that the liquid power which makes the wheels go round is supplied to the dominion at the will of commercial forces that are entirely beyond its control. The causes that have produced the shortage need not be analysed, though it would be a mistake to assume that there is any lack of motor spirit at tho sources of supply. America has enormous stocks waiting for the market on the Californian coast. But if the throbbing motors really should be reduced to silent' inactivity for a period of days or weeks, New Zealand will have been furnished with a potent argument for the development of her own oilfields and for precautions lest the operations of monopolies should interfere with the distribution of an article that is rapidlybecoming one of the necessaries of life. The dominion must be assured of" a constant supply of petrol.