PETROL SHORTAGE.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1433, 7 May 1912, Page 7

PETROL SHORTAGE.

POSITION IN WELLINGTON

TWO SOURCES OF SUPPLY

The latest news about petrol is that tho "moving spirit" has advr.rn.cd another twopence per caso in price—a rise of sixpence since the market became agitated. -Most of the motor spirit used in this country—indeed, it may lie slated that practically all of it—conies from the \acuum Oil Company, whose nearest competitors arc in .Australia—the liritish Imperial Company, ami an Australian company, the latter controlling the manufacture and sale of a local production. How far the Australian petrol could relievo such a situation as lhe present shortage of motor-spirit in Nov Zealand is a question governed, it is stated, by the problem of transport, for large shipments by the ordinary intercolonial boats would not be practicable under eiisling conditions. Granting even adequate transport, (he fact remains, however, I hat the Australian firms, so far as can be ascertained, do not appear to be carrying moi-e than sufficient for their own - purpose. TRAFFIC HAMPERED. AUCKLAND LAUNCHES IDLE. illy TclezranU-l'riißS Association.i Auckland, Jlay (i. Further inquiries made with regard to the shortage of benzine indicate that opinions as to the position arc diverse, and conflicting statements were met with. The proprietors of one or two large motor garages staled that the position was by no means acute, and that they were not alarmed as to being able to procure sutlicient supplies until the next shipment arrives. On the other hand, wholesale merchants and large retailers definitely stated that tlio Vacuum Oil Company has been totally unable to supply any benzine, and that they in turn are compelled to refuse customers who order it. Ono large distributor informed a "Herald" reporter that up to last week about a tenth of his orders had been filled, but now not a single ca;e was procurable. The immediate consequences in some cases were extremely serious, as river launches, which collect and convey daily supplies of milk to factories in the country, were u-eless, and consequently milk was being misled. ; , The ordinary price of benzine is lis. Gd. per ease, but owing to the scarcity it would be possible, a merchant stated, to tell hundreds of cases at the present time at anything from i!os. to .'ids, per ease. 1(. is understood that those h!ui still Jiave :t few cases left in stock are asking about JJI per. case. SCARE SUBSIDING. SPECULATION IN CJIRTSTCnURCH. Christchurch, May 0. The position of the petrol market has not changed to any extent, except that the effects of the first scare have worn oft'. Motorists are not offering to buy petrol at any price, and apparently those who run short are getting supplied at 2s. (id. per gallon. Speculative holders of small lots of cases arc asking for big prices, but so far nothing is doing on their terms. Regarding tho petrol famine, tho Vacuum Oil Company here has ceased supplying. it is believed that private speculators made largo purchases, this being one cause of tho shortage. Ono firm reports that it lias secfired a thousand gallons which are duo to-mor-row. | ADVANCE IN DUNEDIN. j (By Telegraph—l'ress Association.) Dunedin, May fi. Inquiries made at local garages io-ilay elicitcd the fact that the proprietors have stopped the sale of petrol to anyone except their customers, and then only in reduced quantities. Keen inquiry is being made front Christchurch for benzine and petrol, and one (inn received an order for the former at. an advance of tld. per gallon on tlie ordinary price.