SALE OF PETROL.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19666, 7 December 1933, Page 6

SALE OF PETROL.

To the Editor of “The Timaru Herald” Sir—ln connection with the recent deputation to the Government of the Europa Company and the Farmers' Union, asking for the stabilisation cf the price of petrol, I would say that all will no doubt hail the proposal w’ith due respect. It is to be hoped that Mr Todd will realise that as the major oil companies give the retailers a fair margin of profit for their labour and losses, that his company started off with a penny cut for the retailers. I am only quoting from my own company’s correspondence with the Europa Company in which the retailer was co receive 2d per gallon on his sales Perhaps Mr Todd thought that the effect would suit the purpose, and as a result there has been nothing but trouble with the retailers cutting prices, until now we are unable to earn a decent living. It is very marked that the Europa Company is being backed up by the Farmers’ Union. Why? Well, it is a fact that cannot ce denied, that a very large trade is being done in 44-gallon drum lots, and the farmer is the largest customer. It is to be hoped that' Mr Todd will not countenance petrol being sold to farmers, but only through the recognised petrol channel, and that

is to allow' the station to fill the drums, and so put the trade in a more satisfactory position. If the petrol trade, garages and stations do not w’ake up at once and get busy, we shall see our profit side cut further down, and it is to be hoped that the major oil companies will wake up and stop selling oil and petrol m bulk to anyone, but only through the channels of the various stations erected for that purpose. As one company has already taken that stand, it is to be hoped the others will follow. There is an old proverb which suggests every man to his own last. No one would expect to see a cobbler with his repair job on the last, selling tea and sugar. Let us hope then that if the trade is to be put right, they must keep all pumps out of grocer shops. It would serve these people right if the cobbler did cut in on their tea and sugar.—l am., etc., J. A. HUTCHESON. King Street Timaru, December 6.