LESS PETROL FOR MONTHS TO COME

Grey River Argus, 30 January 1948, Page 7

LESS PETROL FOR MONTHS TO COME

Cut to be Doubled and Later Trebled

P.A WELLINGTON, Jan. 29 Though the petrol supply situation in Wellington is acute, with closing days of the month finding resellers with extremely depleted tanks, the position in the next tew months is likely to be even more difficult. This was made clear yesterday when tne Oil Fuel Controller, Mr Laurenson, stated that the cut in the supplies to the resellers next month will be 10 per cent., compared with five pei cent., cuts that were effected in December and January—these being calculated on the supplies drawn by the resellers in the corresponding periods 12 months ago. He added that, in April, the cut would effect a reduction of 15 percent., on the April consumption last year; the March reduction being the same 10 per cent proportion as February. Apart from the dollar question, the overall problem of supplies from overseas was a matter of concern, he said. There was a world shortage of oil fuel, and a shortage of tankers. These were factors now entering into the New Zealand problem. In December and January the Dominion had just about scraped through with reduced allocations. He agreed, that, when the overall cut of 10 per cent.., was made in the Dominion’s allocation, it meant that the private car owner had to face a reduction of up to 30 or 40 per cent., his supply, for the industrial users could nor. be cut to any appreciable extent. In somecases they could not be cut at all. In addition, there was a much greater demand for commercial use now than 12 months ago. The same point was made by the secretary of the Ancillary Transport Association, Mr E. M. Bardsley, who said that many of its members, not in possession of their own bowsers, were finding that they could not get no petrol to run their vehicles, and were having to engage private carriers, who were fortunate enough to have' fuel, to maintain the movement of materials and goods essential to carrying on their business. These firms were not in a position to cut the running of these vehicles. He that no firm deserved to exist which was not efficient in keeping down its mileage to a minimum to save cxPC lt appeared, said Mr Bardsley, that the present allocation system was not working as it might. No one. wanted to return to the all-out licensing system but one would know where one stood. It might be possible, he suggested for each reseller to deduct from their monthly allocation the consumption of their business customers -—deciding which could stand a partial cut in the normal supply, and which could not be cut and then divide the residue fairly between his remaining regular customers. Those other than regular customers would not be served. , Taxi proprietors in Wellington aie feeling the month end scarcity severely One company, with its own bowser, is supplying its members with five gallons daily. This will. allow them to continue some service lor the remaining days before next month’s allocation is available. Next month, this company, to meet the reduced allocation, is likely to institute a rationing system from the beginning of the month; the double-shift cars getting rather more than 200 gallons, 'and the single-shift cars about half that amount. . It was stated, by the drivers, that some of the newest cars petrol at the rate of 14 miles to the gallon, and at that rate they do not pay to run on the restricted mileage possible. The executive of the Wellington branch of the New Zealand Taxi Proprietors’ Federation met to-day, and considered the position under the future cuts. It was decided to approach the Controller and to ask him to make a monthly allocation for taxis which would enable them to maintain essential service. Such allocation could be set aside at nominated bowser stations.