TIMARU PROTEST.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20232, 16 February 1934, Page 7

TIMARU PROTEST.

Petrol Resellers Want Price Fixed. (Special te the “ Star.**) TIMARU. February 15. Timaru petrol resellers are bitterly disappointed at the announcement by the Hon R. Masters, Minister of Industries and Commerce, that the Government does not intend to fix retail prices of petrol throughout the Dominion. If governmental action is not taken in price fixation for resellers, as was done for the wholesale business, to allow a reasonable margin of profit, in the opinion of Mr H. I. Butler, a prominent local service station owner, there are three alternatives. Many resellers will be compelled to abandon their businesses, supplement their returns from petrol sales by encroaching on other lines, such as repairing, or the major oil companies themselves will have to standardise prices. “ The price-cutting,” said Mr Butler, “ is contributing to a desperate position among resellers all over New Zealand, and unless the Government fixes retail prices many now in business will be forced out or will be compelled to supplement their petrol-selling trade. Many stations in Christchurch have taken on repair work and others are changing hands every day because of the price war,” he added.