PRICE OF PETROL IN H.B.

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 22, 10 February 1937, Page 4

PRICE OF PETROL IN H.B.

Opinions on County Request for Reduction ' ♦ The suggestion made at the meeting of the Hawke's Bay County Council on Monday that the price of petrol in Hawke 's Bay should be fixed on a lower basis than at present was referred to a number of people interested in the industry, and there was a conflict of opinionls as to the outcome of any steps taken to bring about a reduction as desired. One representative of an oil eompany said that it was impossible for the companies to do anything in the matter. "It is all a matter of the Government and the head offices of the company, ' ' he said. "I would point out, however, that Hawke's Bay is on a lower level than quite a number of other districts in New Zealand." Among the proprietors of service stations the suggestion was welcomed by those interviewed. "It should never have gone up from two bob," declared one proprietor. "After all, petrol is now Teally a necessity, for it is used in almost every home, even if there is only a small bottle of it for cleaning purposes in some homes. I have never been satisfied that- there is just cause for petrol being more than 2/- a gallon. ' ' Two other service statioiis attendants called upon based their objeetion to the recent rise in price to 2/1 a gallon on the inconvenience caused iu having to hand out small change, a good deal of time being wasted ' in this regard in their opinions.