Bowser Restriction

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 76, 16 April 1937, Page 9

Bowser Restriction

HASTINGS P0SITI0N Council Discusses Department's Ruling NEW GARAGE BUSINESS A difference of opinion as to the recessity for restncting the numher of petrol pumps was revealed at the meeting of the Hastings Borough Conncil last evening, when there wa3 a discussion on the merita of the action of the Department of Industries and Commerce in curtailing, under the Industrial Efficiency Act, the number of pumps in a new garage huslness. The discuwsion arose when advice was received from the department pomting out that Baillie Motor3 Ltd. had made application for four petrol pumps to be installed in the new garage the firm was erecting, but the department, after consijering the matter, had decided to allow the iirm to install only two new pumps but if desired it could arrange for the transfer of an additional pump, or pumps, from some other pre(sent seller. The eouncil was advised of the position because it was the controlling authority and responsible for the inspeetion of the area. "I can't say that this appears to me as being fair," said the Mayor, Mr G. A. Maddison, when the letter from the department wa-s received. "Here'p a man setting up iu business as a garage, but he is not to be allowed to have part of his noeessary service. There are many diffctent brands of benzine. yet he is to be restrictcd as to his service. I think that when a new business is allowed to be set up it should also bo permissible for that business to be able to meet all the needs of its customers. ' ' "I think the council should take some action/' tsaid Cr. S. Ashcroft. "It does seem absurd to allow a business to be established' then deprive it of esential mcans of carrying out that business. It really amounts to their having to send their customers to their competitors, because they are not allowed to have the custom." Cr. G. W. B. McCormick: The department went yery fully into the position and is well acquainted with the facts. The aim is to curtail the selling pointis. It is the department 's hope to ent down the very defmite waste in petrol. Cr. McCormick added that the idea of the department was that where a petrol pump had already been installed, then the proprietor of that pump had been put to some expense, and possible loss. It was felt that if a particular firm desired to increase its number of pumps then it could do so by the transfer of an already established pump, and there would be some goodwill in such an arrangement. The Mayor: But suppose he cannot purchase another pump? He is to be handicapped in his business because he is not able to meet all the requirenients of his clients. Cr. Ashcroft: A man should be allowed to have all the necessities for the carrying on of his business. Cr. C. H. Slater said that the difficulty was that possibly six or eight more garages might set up iu business, and if each were allowed to have as many pumps as they desired then the objective of the Tegulations would be defeated. "After all it doesn't make znuch difference," he said. "There are ;eally only two grades, first and second, and there 's not any great difference between the various brands." The Mayor: Whai is the objective of these restrictions? Cr. McCormick: It's an attempt to fering down the price of petrol. "But petrol is going up in price a.V over the place," said the Mayor with a amilo. Cr. Slater: There are . too many petrol pumps about. Cr. McCormick: It has been estimated that there is a petrol pump in Hastings for every eight cars. The discussion then lapsed, no action being taken.