Petrol Supply Has Become More Acute In N.Z.

Wanganui Chronicle, 30 January 1948, Page 6

Petrol Supply Has Become More Acute In N.Z.

HEAVIER CUTS TO BE MADE IN ALLOCATIONS TO RESELLERS

(Press Association) WELLINGTON, Jan 29 Though the petrol supply situation in Wellington is acute, with the closing days of the month finding resellers with extremely depleted tanks, the position in the next few months is likely to be even more difficult.

This was made clear yesterday when the Oil Fuel Controller (Mr. Laurenson) stated that the cut in supplies to resellers next month will be 10 per cent., compared with 5 per cent, cuts i effected in December and January, these being calculated on the j . supplies drawn by resellers in i I the corresponding periods of 1?J months ago. i He added that in April the cut would effect a reduction of 15 per cent, on the April consumption last year, the March reduction being in the same, a 10 per cent, proportion, I as in February. ' Apart from the dollar question, the overall problem of supplies from overseas was a matter of concern, he said. World shortage of oil fuel and a shortage of tankers, were factors now entering into the New Zealand problem. In December and January, the Dominion had just about scraped through with the reduced allocations. PRIVATE CARS CUT 3G TO 4# PER CENT. He agreed that when an overall cut of 10 per cent, was made in the Dominion’s allocation it meant that a private car owner had to face a reduction of up to 30 or 40 per cent.; in his supply, for industrial users j could not be cut to any appreciable! extent, in some cases not at all. In addition there was a much greater, l demand for commercial use now than' 12 months ago. I The point was made by the secretary of the Ancillary Transport Association (Mr. E. M. Bardsley), who| said many of its members, not in possession of theri own bowsers, were finding they could get no petrol to run their vehicles and were having to engage private carriers who were fortunate enough to have fuel to maintain movement of materials and goods essential to the carrying oq of their business. These firms were not in a position to cut the running of I these vehicles. i No firm deserved to exist which was not efficient in keep- | ing down its mileage to a minimum to save expense. I It appeared, said Mr. Bardsley, that the present allocation system was not working as it might. No lone wanted to return to an all out I licensing system, but one would know I where one stood. It might be possible. he suggested, for resellers to deduct from their monthly allocation consumption of their business customers —deciding which could stand a partial cut in the normal supply and which could not be cut—and then divide the residue fairly between his remaining regular customers. Other than regular customers would not be serveed. TAXIS HARD HIT Taxi proprietors in Wellington are feeling the month-end scarcity severely. One company, with its own bowser, is supplying its members with five gallons a day. This will allow them to continue some service for the remaining days before next month’s allocation is available. Next month this company, to meet a reduced allocation, is likely to institute a rationing system from the beginning of the month, double shift cars getting rather more than 200 gallons and single shift cars about half that amount. It was stated by drivers that some of the newest cars use petrol at a rate of 14 miles toa gallon and at that rate they do not pay to run on a restricted mileage. The executive of the Wellington

branch of the New Zealand Proprietors’ Federation met today and considered the position under future cuts. It was decided to approach the controller and ask him to make a monthly allocation * for taxis which would enable them to maintain an essential service. Such allocation could be set aside at nominated bowser stations.