Petrol Rationing Could Be Lifted

Chronicle (Levin), 1 March 1949, Page 7

Petrol Rationing Could Be Lifted

Presis Assodation)

(Per

WELLINGTON, Feb. 28. The opiniou that petrol ratiouing in New Zealand could come of£ so t'ar as supply and tanker positions were con cerued, was expressqd by the chairman and mauaging director of the Vacuuni Oil Pty. Ltd., Melboiirne, Mr. H. JRabling, in an interview today. Qverseas exchange was the only reason for rationing as far as he knew. ' ' ' '• The supply and tanker shortages of a year ago had been taken care of by the oil companies expanding their faciiities, Mr. Rabling .stated. The shortage had not been in well production but in relining capacity. The tremendous expansion in demand all over the world, that followed the war, could | not for a time be met. That demand was still increasing. but through the enterprise of pjtivate industry, it hadbeen overtaken. Additional relining capacity and more tankers had been . brought into service. His own, companv, said Mr. Rabling, was building a relinery in Melbourne which would be operating in April. Two or three other refineries existed already in Australia. No locai oil had been found yet but geological parties were out prospecting on the Australian mainland and in Papua. A really lhtensive seareh for oil was planned for the next two years. The possibility of world oil supplies running out, was not a question giving any concern to the oil companies, he continued. There was enough oil already known of to last at lcast 2b years at the present. rate of coasumption and probably four or five times as

mueh as that actually existed. Mr.. Rabling was last in New Zealand as thc guest of the Government in 1943. His present visit is a combination of business and holiday.