CONTROL OF PETROL.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16263, 13 July 1918, Page 8

CONTROL OF PETROL.

BOARD OF TRADE'S SCHEME. (SPECIAL TO "THE FRESS.") DUNEDIN, July 12. The members of tho Board of Trad© leave Duncdin to-morrow morning for Christchurch, whero they will eit for three days. The price of milk and the standardisation of boots will receive their principal attention while in Christchurch. Interviewed respecting the new scheme for the control of petrol, tho members of tho Board stated that the full regulations would probably be gazetted this week. They stated that tue large importing companies had Loyally observed the agreement entered into, and had not increased their prices witnout tlio Board's ooiisent. iJoapue the fact tliat statistics showed that the import ot exjnosive oils into tlie Dominion was well above the average, oontinual complaints were made that grave shortages existed, and tiie retail prices were liequentiy advanced, reaching in some localities as high as 5Us per case,, whilst 42s per caso (tho wholesale price of which was 23s ttd, approximately 245) was frequently paid. As a consequence, the Board arranged with the large companies to control distribution, and to give preference of supplies to essential users, but as retail prices continued to fluctuato, and there was evidence of hoarding, both by retail distributors and by consumers, the Board recommended tho Government to control the trade by regulations gazetted under the War Regulations Act, and to 5x tho maximum retail price. There is nothing to prevent anyono selling afc lower prices than, these gazetted. It will be a penal offence for inj-one under the regulations to order ir obtain possession of a quanity of petrol which exceeds his average four.veekly requirements, and any holder at present storing petrol will be penalised inder tho regulations for obtaining supplies in excess of essential requirements for a four-weekly period. It is ixpected a.<? a result of the control that Jiero will bo ample petrol supplies not inly for essential u«ers but for those ising their own ears for business and jlcasur© purposes. Durincr the five months of the year, lespite the shortntrc of shipping nore petrol has been into tho dominion than during: any liko neriod n previous years, and tho Board conider that for remaining months of ,he year, nothing unforceen moTj-ens, supplies will come steadily to land.