OIL FUEL DISTRIBUTION

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 2862, 24 March 1925, Page 3

OIL FUEL DISTRIBUTION

REDUCTION IN PRICES , EXPECTED. Some observations of' more than passing interest, to motorists have been made by Sir Robert Waley Cohen, one of the lending figures in lie British Imperial Oil Company. Sir Robert lias been visiting New Zealand in connection with the scheme which is about, to be launched to introduce a more efficient distribution of motor fuel throughout the Dominion. The method proposed is by tanks on wheels, which will do the rounds of the various garag es and fill the store pumps direct {...m the tank.

These bulk supplies will probably he sent by rail in a similar way as they are in England and America, and this will naturally cut out a great deal of Ihe kerosene tin and packing case businosh. The latter wil not, lie eliminated, however, for this part of the work is to beJhe basis of a new industry in New Zealand, as it, is hojied to have them made in (lie Dominion.

While giving no assurance that those economies and more efficient metrods of distribution would result in a reduction in the price of motor spirit, Sir Robert certainly indicated that this result should accrue as soon as the scheme was in working order, and lie hoped that they would before long he able to fix prices in New Zealand more on a par with prices in England and America. The comparatively small and scattered population, the long distances between the larger towns and cities, and the old methods of distribution in eases, have made the cost’of motor fuel in New Zealand proportionately higher than in oth er countries.

Perhaps there is another aspect of the matter which looms on the horizon (states an exchange), and that is the difference it will make to the owners of some of the lorries, many of which have been doing fairly good business in the transport of case fuel, offering serious competition to the railways. However, this is all in the air, but the prospects in this direction will be viewed by some of the carriers with concern.