PETROL SUPPLIES

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 217, 1 June 1918, Page 9

PETROL SUPPLIES

BOARD OF TRADE'S CONCERN

USES OF PETROL CLASSIFIED

QUESTIONS FOR MOTORISTS

A reference was made yesterday to a circular issued to the motor trade by one of the big motor spirit importing 1-rnis (and endorsed by other largo importers here), which looks like tho bopinning of economy as far as the use ui petroleum products are concerned. In its course the circular says:—"The board of Trade having notified us that importers are required to exercise- a strict control over the distribution ol the available supplies of petroleum products, ivo are reluctantly compelled to advise '.vou that all present contracts are cancelled, and that for tho present we can (•lily accept orders for consignment diicct to tho actual users, plus such limited supplies as wo can. reserve for your small current trade. Al l such orders will, of course, bo invoiced to distributors as usual, but the attached application form should bo filled in and forwarded to us along with each order. We must rely upon you to see, as- far ;is you possibly can, that your buyers exercise economy in their use of supplies, and that thoy do not accumulate stocks, and to facilitate the work at your end wo are sending you a supply of order sheets. We realise that this will Milail additional trouble to your good selves, but trust that you will understand that this action is forced upon us by the acute shortage of supplies, and tho instructions of tho Board of Trade that deliveries must in consequence be strictly controlled. We feel sure that you will co-operate with us in our endeavour to conform to these instructions."

With the circular has been issued a form called "Application for Petrol Supflies," in which is set out the following cjiiestions (to .be answered by applicants lor oil supplies):— (1) For what purpose do you require supplies of motor spirit, benzine, distillate, kerosene? (2) How aro you classified by the "Efficiencv Board? (3) llave you any motor spirit, benzine, distillate, or keroseno on hand, or on order? If so, state quantity and brands. (4) Are you receiving an allowance of motor spirit, benzine, distillate, or kerosene from any other firm ? ('>) If you are buying for re-sale, do you undertake to givo not more than ono month's average supply with preforenco to essential users, and also satisfy yourselves they have no unreasonable stocks on hand, or on order from others? (6) If you aro a consumer, and require supplies for stationary, or portable oil or petrol engine, stato (a) make of plant; (b) name of maker; (c) horse-power of plant; (d) number of hours used daily; (c) number of days used per week; (f). estimated weekly consumption; (g) for what purpose is plant used? (7) If a consumer, do you own a motorcar or cars, and if no, state make, and for what purpose they aro used. What is your estimated monthly consumption? Then follow Ibo list of avocations in which petrol'may bo used and their classification by the National Efficiency Board. They are divided into three classes, as follow:— Schedule A—Most essential: Agriculturists, farmers, dairymen, coal-mining, r-reamfirips, cheese • factories, dairy factori», doctors, electric hydro power stations, engineering (marine), fishermen fdetp sea), flour mills, freezing works, iron rolling mills, railways, shipping, i-hip Tepairs, thrashing.mills.

Schedule B.'—Essential: Agricultural implements, analytical chemistry, bakerie*,, butchering, chaff-cutting, fellmongerii!?, fruit growing, gardening (com.liiercial), lightering, mail contractors, milk distribution, newspaper distribution, poultry farming, seed dressing, shearing machines, shipbuilding, tanning, wellboring, woollen mills, ■wool-scouring. . Schedule C—Partially essential: Commercial carriers, flaxmilling, printing, tramways, snwmilling, storekeepers, garages, taxi proprietors, quarrying, dyeing and cleaning, laundries.