PETROL SHORTAGE

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 257, 24 July 1920, Page 8

PETROL SHORTAGE

MORE QUESTIONS IN PARLIAMENT AUSTRALIA'S ARRANGEMENTS. The shortage of petrol was mentioned in the House of Representatives yesterday. Mr. Powdreil (Patent complaincd that tlio Government was not encouraging people to relieve the shortage by direct importations. Hawcra funnel's had imported 3000 eases of benzine by the Westralia, and they had been informed by the Board of Trade that they could have only 2000 cases, the remaining IfltH) cases being required for distribution in Wellington. Tarannki farmers were threatened with, a shortago of petrol in the millc season, and this interference with direct importation was not helping thom. The president of the Board of Trade (Mr. lic-e) replied that ho would make" inquiries on the point. Dr. Newman (Wellington East) asked if the Government was making any nttempt to.seeiiro supplies of oil from the Anglo-Pereiitn Company. The Australian Government had mado an arrangement with this company and had overcome the shortage, while New Zealand was still Buffering. Mr. Leo promised to have inquiries made regarding the Australian arrangement. The consumption of petrol was enormous all over the world, und it was questionable if tho supply would permit of evcrvliody. having all they Granted. The public might not be able to uso petrol in the futuro as freely as in the [last. The Government was trying to ensure that preference wnp given to essential industries. •' Dr. Newman: What I want to know is, why the Government has not mado mi arrangement Wtth the Anglo-Persian Oil Company similar to. the arrangement mado in Australia, where they have plenty of oil? ' Mr. Lee: I hare no knowledge that Australia has this large supply of oil. Dr. Newman: "You are behind the times. It has." Dr. Newman added that ho believed Australia was importing the crude oil and refining it within the Commonwealth.