SHORTAGE OF PETROL.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 14597, 6 May 1918, Page 5

SHORTAGE OF PETROL.

SUPPLIES TO BE LIMITED

(Pit Press Association)

OlTlHSirilUHCll. last night. The Board of Trade, which has been en gaged in investigating the shortage of petrol, has decided to issue a request to the two large companies engaged in the business to conserve their supplies ass much as possible and' supply oiiuy retailers carrying on business with those doing essential work. Power of dis<Tiruination will 'be left to the companies themselves. It has been understood that supplies will be limited to the quantities usually taken by the customer. The companies have intimated that they are prepared to act in accordance witli the Board's request. The Board has impressed upon taxi-men the need for entirely eliminating joy rides.

The petrol trouble has developed further, states the Christchurch Sun. The main distributing agency in tho Dominion has now advised private consumers and garages that their wants cannot be catered for by it, as stocks arc so low that they must be" retained for essential industries. The prohibition also affects taxi-cab proprietors. Such action, it is stated, has been done at the request of the Government, but enquiries made do not bear out that these instructions have been extended to other concerns. The decision announced by the company in question — the 'Vacuum Oil Company, Ltd. — has, according to a garage proprietor, fallen like a blow on the industry. He states that the position is so bad as regards stocks that some garages are helping the others with their private supplies. The Garage Proprietors' Association has taken up the matter, and has wired the Minister of Munitions asking for a statement of the position. The trouble was accentuated by the fact that other distributing concerns had no stocks, although a consignment of 8000 cases was expected shortly by one company, and also a shipment by another. In his garage, case lots. were not being sold, and petrol was being doled out by the gallon and halfgallon. The industry had now reached a crisis when the Government should take a hand. At present the situation was such that a further increase in prices was regarded as almost inevitable.

Further inquiries made showed that the position as regards the, shortage had not been exaggerated. Distillate, which was purchased more cheaply than petrol, and which is. intended for marine engines, was stated to have found users in motor-car proprietors. It is an inferior spirit ; of course' and is "dirty," carbonising the engine. It has been mixed with petrol by several owners. According to one authority approached by a representative of the Christchurch Press on the subject there is no real reason for any alarm in respect of the adequacy of tlie supplies in the Dominion.^ It is understood iSfat the stocks at present in the Dominion are quite adequate to meet the requirements of all essential industries for tlie next six months at least.