THE PETROL SUPPLY

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 69, 14 December 1917, Page 7

THE PETROL SUPPLY

SHORTAGE IN AUSTRALIA MAY BE AVERTED. The activity in building and chartering vessels by the Standard Oil Co. of Califor< nia means that shortago of industrial oils in Australia owing to tho war w likely to bo obviated. Tho Vacuum Oil Co. put tho position clearly in the following statement last went':— This company, upon the continualico of which so many industries in Australia depends, purchases its caso oil from various companies, tho greater portion being from what is known m (ho eastern seaboard, by way' of Now YorK. Owing to tho shortage of shipping tonnage, however, the Vacuum Oil Co. liaa been making its purchases from the Standard Oil Co. of California, which is an entirely separate organisation from (ho Eastern oil companies. The Standard Oil Company of California, which has no connection with tho western companies, is building auxiliary motor-schoon-ers, and chartering steamers and railors in every possible to fulfil tho increased orders which the Vacuum Oil Company has given them for Australia and New Zealand- orders which tli*y were not receiving prior to the war. Tno first of these auxiliary schooners is duo in Melbourne shortly. It is one of the latest types of vessel turned out by tho shipping companies on the west coast of \nieriea. It is turned out by tho paido firm which is building tho new boats for the Commonwealth Government.