NO BLACK MARKET

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26289, 22 October 1946, Page 4

NO BLACK MARKET

PETROL SUPPLIES ADEQUATE

SYSTEM SATISFACTORY TO ALL « iP A ) WELLINGTON. Oct. 21. “ The position in New Zealand is that there is no such thing as black marketing." said Mr C. R. Edmond secretary of the New Zealand Retail Motor Trade Association, when a Sydney cablegram regarding petrol was referred to him to-day. ‘‘There may have been some under the rationing system, but, as far as I know, everybody who wants petrol to-day can get in. In fact, the demand has not been up to the supply provided, and a surplus has been accumulating which will probably be made available for holiday motoring." Mr Edmond said that from a trade point of view the present system was much better than the type of rationing in force before June. The trade, the Minister, and the controllers and motorists all appeared satisfied with the present method of distribution. If the trade in Australia asked him he would recommend the adoption of the New Zealand scheme there. The Oil Fuel Controller had designated a certain distribution a month, and the oil companies had limited sales to resellers to that ceiling, which had ne\jer been reached. The Oil Fuel Controller, Mr G. L. Laurenson, said to-day that under the New Zealand system adequate supplies of petrol were available to enable all motorists to get sufficient to cover their reasonable requirements. “ There is no black marketing of petrol in New' Zealand to-day,. nor is it necessary for resellers to give preferential treatment to selected customers