QUESTIONS IN HOUSE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 9, Issue 13, 9 October 1945, Page 2

QUESTIONS IN HOUSE

PETROL PRICES & ELECTRICITY

BAY MEMBER'S QUERY

An investigation in conjunction with the Poverty Bay Power Board with a view to supplying power to the area by some economic power producing plant was advocated by Mr W. Sullivan (National, Bay ol' Plenty) in a question in the House of Representatives addressed to the. Minister of Works (Mr Semple).,. Mr Sullivan suggested the installation of a Diesel oil plant or some other form of plant to .supply power to the East Coast area, including Tolaga Bay and Ruatoria. The population within the area was six to eight thousand, he said, and apparently it would be conic considerable time, before the bulk supply system could cope with the demand. Considerable investigation had already been made into the question of bringing electric supply to the district said the Minister in reply. There were many dilticult problems associated with the proposal. At the present time the Poverty Bay Electric Power Board was preparing fresh data regarding its. power rcquiements, estimated costs, and possible number of consumers in the area. When that information was to hand the matter would receive further consideration. In another question, Mr Sullivan raised the question of petrol prices, quoting a report that it was landed at 8-d a gallon and was retailed at approximately 3s a gallon. He asked the Minister of Supply for an explanation The -Minister (Mr Sullivan) said the selling price for petrol to the public which had been stabilised at 2s OHd a gallon at main ports since June 30 1942 was made up of the ' ' selling price ex the Government to the bulk distributors (fixed as appropriate for the distribution of petrol at the level existing at the date of stabilisation) taxation of 14.7 d a gallon, and wholesalers' and retailers' operating margins,. Under stabilisation prices had not been 9 X allowed to advance beyond those ruling when petroleum products were declared stabilised lincs j even though the costs in many instances *3 9 justified advances beyond those levels. "It may shortly be possible to obtain petrol from sources normally supplying New Zealand's requirements and through usual trade channels, and consideration is being given by the Government to reverting to the previous method of price fixation," added the Minister. "Negotiations with the oil companies are still proceeding, and a statement-, on the subject will be issued on their completion,,"