RUSSIAN PETROL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20889, 3 June 1931, Page 10

RUSSIAN PETROL.

TRIAL SHIPMENT ARRIVES.

TESTS IN WELLINGTON;

RUMOUR OF FURTHER SUPPLIES

[by telegraph.—own correspondent.] WELLINGTON. Tuesday.

A small shipment of Russian petrol arrived in Wellington recently. The new fuel has been tried on motor vehicles in the city. The introduction *erf Soviet petrol into England a few years ago caused a stir in the motor industry, and one London newspaper fostered a boycott and issued posters to all service stations, who agreed not to handle the fuel. Later an agreement was reached between the organisations chiefly concerned. A Wellington importer who was identified with the importation of the sample shipment of several hundred gallons of Russian petrol, stated this evening that he could not confirm the rumour that large supplies were now on the water. It is understood that several Wellington garages have shared in the trial shipment. NO AUCKLAND ACTIVITY. LACK OF INFORMATION. No information concerning the likelihood of Russia entering into competition with the existing oil companies in New Zealand is available in Auckland. Inquiries made yesterday showed that, little or nothing was known of the investigations of a Soviet representative in the Dominion, although it was believed that ono'liad actually visited Auckland in the course of his business.

Apparently no move lias yet been made in Auckland to secure land for the erection of storage tanks in readiness for the importation of supplies in bulk. It was suggested by onb importer that the negotiation in this city had been with somo of the smaller importers, with the idea of introducing the Russian oil in drums or steel containers, and selling it at stations in competition with the large firms now operating. Reference was made by the manager of one of the larger oil companies to the suggestion made at the conference of t<ho New Zealand' Farmers' Union in Hamilton over a week ago that it would be to the Dominion's advantage to enter into trading agreements with Russia for the purchase of petrol. One speaker stated that Russian petrol was now being sold openly in England, and he saw no reason why New Zealand should not purchase cheaper petrol from Russia. No action was taken by the conference. This oil company manager said that he did not believe that the Government would agree to such a move, which, he believed, in view of the present position in regard to the shipments of Russian butter to England, would bo detrimental to the farming interests of the Dominion.