PETROL SHORTAGE

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 160710, 24 July 1920, Page 5

PETROL SHORTAGE

MEMBERS STILL CURIOUS. (By Telegraph—Special to “Herald.”) WELLINGTON, July 23. The shortage of petrol ' has prompted many questions in the House recently and there were three to-day. Mr Powdrell (Patea) inquired of the Minister in charge of the Board of Trade why Hawera farmers who had imported 3000 cases of benzine were not allowed to secure more than 2000 cases seeing that the Government declared it wished to encourage the importation of petrol. The Board of Trade had decided that 1000 cases must be distributed in Wellington. The Hon. Mr Lee replied that as no notice had been given of the question, he had no information to give. Dr. Newman tackled ' the same Minister regarding the Australian contract with the Anglo-Persia Oil Co., which had resulted in giving the Commonwealth ample supplies of oil. Why could not this country make a similar contract, he asked. Mr Lee undertook to have the matter looked into. He suggested there was a world’s shortage of petrol owing to the enormous increase in consumption. It was the Government’s policy to endeavour to preserve oil for essential purposes. Mr Sullivan asked the Prime Minister to get an export report on attempts to bore for oil at Chertsey. A good deal of work had been done and it would be valuable to give the local people some information as to the prospects. Mr Massey assured the questioner that he would be glad to favourably consider the request.