PETROL PRICES.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLV, Issue 12017, 6 March 1920, Page 5

PETROL PRICES.

DISTRIBUTION PUT UNDER CONTROL, Per Press Association. Wellington, March 5. In consequence of the shortage of petroleum products throughout the Dominion, the Government has de cided ro take control of distribution, and for this purpose has set up a petrol committee at Wellington to act in conjunction with the Board of Trade, Sub-committees have been appointed ai Auckland, Christchurch and Dunedin. These committees will deal with all inquiries relative to supplies, and, in order to conserve the benzine, the needs of essential users will receive preference. All orders in excess of five cases must receive the sanction of the Board of Trade’s representative in each centre. Every oil importer will be required to prepare a list daily of supplies and band it to the Board of Trade’s committees. Every distributor of 100 or more cases per week will be required to supply a weekly list to the committees of persons whom he has actually supplied, and the quantity. The Prime Minister stated that the petrol regulations gazetted on July 13th, 1918, as to distribution of petrol, were still in force, and any breach of these regulations as to hoarding supplies, or any attempt to secure supplies except through the committees would be dealt with as a Breach for which heavy penalties were provided. , The shortage is merely temporary, and stocks to arrive show that the present rigid distribution will not be necessary a few weeks hence. There is enough petrol available at the present time to supply essential industries, and there is no need for anxiety on this account, but economy is essential, and it is with a view to ensuring t'his that the present control of distribution is being instituted.