SALE OF PETROL

Timaru Herald, Volume CLI, Issue 22201, 19 February 1942, Page 4

SALE OF PETROL

Anomalies Alleged Chamber Of Commerce Discussion Anomalies attending the sale of petrol as a result of restricted supplies were considered at a meeting of the South Canterbury Chamber of Commerce last night. Discussion on the inability of bulk commercial users to qualify for the 3d a gallon concession was prompted by a letter from the Timaru branch of N.Z. Breweries Ltd., and the burden on licence holders in being unable to purchase monthly allowances in drum lots was mentioned by one member. The letter forwarded by N.Z. Breweries Ltd. from the Atlantic Union Oil Company adVised that under the Motor Spirits Prices Regulations a person or firm who consumed not less than an average of 292 gallons a month or 3500 gallons a year was charged the lowest consumer price applying to the area in which sale was made. The regulations provided also that where a consumer did not qualify in purchases, the difference between the rate paid and the full retail rate must be charged back by the wholesaler on the year’s supply. The letter added that as recent restrictions made it Improbable that purchasers would qualify for the lower rate, all sales would be charged at the higher rate until proof was given that 350 gallons would be taken from all companies. Request to Government In submitting the letter the N.Z. Breweries Ltd. suggested that the Associated Chambers be asked to request the Government to have the minimum quantity reduced. The secretary (Mr R. O. Ball) reported that the request was referred to Associated Chambers, which replied that, in view of the reduced amount now necessary for concessions, the executive considered it could take no action. If the Government found itself able to adhere to the request for supplies of petrol to both private and commercial users, the position should be relieved to some extent, in that petrol would be made available for the commercial vehicles using those pumps. Another Anomaly Another anomaly in the sale of petrol, said Mr F. Chittock, was that commercial users were restricted to monthly allocations, making it necessary for them to purchase at bowser rates any petrol in excess of drum lots. The latest cut in petrol allowances, bringing allocations below the minimum amount, was penalising users to the tune of 3d a gallon, said Mr C. M. Lagan. Apart from the cut, bulk consumers were using as little petrol as possible, and it was not fair that commercial users should be deprived of the Usual concession. “If we are not going to get this concession,” Mr Lagan continued. “I am going to suggest that we purchase through bowsers and service stations, from those who are getting their living from the business, rather than from the oil companies. I will suggest that the Associated Chambers be asked to put it to the Government that bulk consumers be allowed to draw through the pumps and pay the 3d a gallon to the owners.” The chairman (Mr W. S. Minehan) said that a further reply would be to hand from the Associated Chambers before the next meeting. Referring to the point raised by Mr Chittock, the District Oil Fuel Controller (Mr C. W. Browne) said that the injustice of monthly allowances had been recognised, and supplies were now being given up to two or three months to get as closely as possible to even drum lots. “I think we are now over the worst of the petrol position, but it still behoves everybody to conserve petrol and not to abuse licences,” said Mr Browne later in the meeting. We appeal to everybody to regard It as of the greatest importance to conserve petrol so that, should an emergency arise, the country will still be able to maintain essential services.”