MR. SULLIVAN REPLIES TO N.I.M.U. REQUEST

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 89, Issue 223, 20 September 1945, Page 4

MR. SULLIVAN REPLIES TO N.I.M.U. REQUEST

REDUCTION IN PRICE ALSO s IRGEED. \ (P.A.) Wellington, Sept. 19. “it is the Government's desire to remove the restrictions as soon as po_lsible, and to that end we are negotiating with the supply authorities overseas at the moment," stated the Minister ox Supply, Mr. Sullivan, in a letter read at the annual conlerence ol the North Island Motor Union today. "As soon as X am in a position to do so I wIII make a public statement and also let you know lhe result of our negotiations.” Mr. Sullivan's letter, dated September 13, was in reply to a request by the Union that all restr.clons on petrol be removed by October 1, the Un.on pointing out that war conditions had passed. It was decided that urgent representations be made to the Government to have the restrictions removed, and, failing success, to publish the case in support of the request. The price of petrol was the subject of a long discussion, at the conclusion, of which the following motion was earned: —“That a request be made to lhe Government that the importation of petrol revert to 0.l companies forthwith, and that at the same time steps be taken to reduce the retail cost to the public to the price prevailing at June 30, 1939, and in making this request we are aware of the downward movement in freights end war risk insurance, as a result of which the price to the public in Australia has already been reduced.” During the discussion it was stated, that the landed cost was 8d and that the price in Palmerston North was 250 per cent, above landed cost It was stated that the price had been reduced by lid a gallon in Australia. The acting secretary. Mr. W. O'Callaghan. said that only th" Government could say what the landed cost of petrol was, but the reduction in freights and insurance .could be proved. A reduction of 3d or 4d in freight alone had occurred.