DEARER PETROL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 August 1939, Page 4

DEARER PETROL

RUSH FOR SUPPLIES LAST NIGHT.

PRICE INCREASED BY FOURPENCE

Petrol is being retailed in Masterton today at 2s 4.|d per gallon for ordinary grades and 2s 5.1 d for super grades, the prices having been increased this morning by 4d, the amount of the additional tax imposed by the Government.

When motorists heard over the radio last night that the tax was being increased many rushed down to the bowser stations and had their car tanks refilled at the old price. Petrol station proprietors reported very brisk business last night. In one instance a motorist collected 20 gallons, on which the saving would be fairly substantial, but in, the case of the smaller cars the saving was only a matter of a shilling or two, though perhaps there was some satisfaction in buying the petrol before the rise became operative.

One garage proprietor said this morning that the increased tax was not so good from their point of view, as it meant more capital invested for, the same return of profit. It was stated that many motorists purchasing petrol this morning at the increased price were doing so in good humour.