THE PETROL FAMINE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXIII, Issue 15922, 7 May 1912, Page 6

THE PETROL FAMINE.

| The shortage of petrol in the local market ha.s excited the amateur speculator to action, and it appears that a large part of the visible stock is being held for a rise in price. The advance is being anticipated by a demand that the owners of motor-cars shall pay £2 a ease for spirit that was sold at little more than a quarter that price a week ago. It is not easy for people outside tho inner circle of the trade to know just what the true position is, but there can be no doubt that the difficulties of the situation are being greatly increased by the operations of persons who want to make a profit from tho temporary breakdown in the machinery of distribution. Many motorists will cherish an uncharitable wish that the speculators may "burn their fingers" by holding the precious motor spirit until new stocks arrive and the price resumes the old level. In any case, there seems now to be no likelihood of the savour of burnt petrol departing from our streets. The motor-car has become so essential a part of the daily life of the city that it continues to run even when its owner is required to paystarvation prices for the vital essence that makes possible its tireless throb. It has come to stay, in the words of street-corner wisdom, and the old order may not be restored for as much as a single day. One wonders, what the venerable cab-horse thinks of its glittering rival, rushing as smoothly as circumstances will allow over the city streets, and consuming a liquid that must bo paid for at the rate of twenty bushels of oats to the case.