AN INTERESTING VISITOR

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12075, 28 February 1925, Page 14

AN INTERESTING VISITOR

6IR ROBERT WALEY OOiHEN. A visitor to Wellington in the past few days, whose observations will have more than a passing interest to motorists,- is Sir Robert Waley Cohen, one of the big men in the’ 5 motor fuel world. He has come tp the Dominion in connection with the scheme which is about to be launched to introduce a more efficient distribution of motor fuel throughout the Dominion. The method proposed is by tanks on wheels, whiohi will do tl.j rounds of the various garages andl fill the ©tore pumps direct from the tank. These bulk supplies will probably 'be sent by rail in a similar way, as they are in England! and America, and this will naturally cut out a great deal of the kerosene tin and packing case business. The latter will not be eliminated, however, as this part of the work is to he the basis of a new industry in New Zealand as it is hoped to have them made in too Dominion. While giving no assurance ’hat these economies and mere efficient methods of distribution would result in a reduction in the price of motor spirit, he certainly indicated that this result should accrue ms soon as the scheme was in working order, and he hoped that they would before long be able to fix the prices in New Zealand more on a par with prices in England and America.. Tlho comparatively small and scattered population, the long distances between the larger towns and cities, and the old methods of distribution in cases, has made the coot, of motor fuel in Now Zealand proportionately higher than in other countries. Perhaps there is another aspect of the matter which looms on the horizon, and that is the difference it will make to the owners of some of the lorries, many of which have been doing fairly good business in the transport of case fuel, offering serious competition tc the railways. However, this is all in the air, but the prospects in this direction will be viewed by some of the carriers with concern.