PETROL PRICES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24400, 11 September 1940, Page 2

PETROL PRICES

ro THE EDITOR Sir,—l am advised this morning by the garage proprietor from whom I purchase my petrol that there is another rise of one half-penny per gallon on this commodity, and also that I am required to pay cash for my supplies. In face of the report in this morning’s paper that in future petrol supplies will be pooled and only one grade available, with the idea of cutting down distributing costs, etc., I would like to be informed who receives this halfpenny increase. I also understand that it is certainly not the garage proprietor, who has been working on the same margin of profit for many years, irrespective of the fact that his own costs have increased very considerably. If this increase is to go into the pockets of the oil companies, I consider it high time the motorists had something to say, as these select few have been quietly increasing the cost of petrol by pennies and halfpennies for a good many months now. I do not object to the garage proprietors asking me for cash on delivery, as T consider this section must be having a rather hard time. I also understand that they were advised this morning that they have to pay the oil companies cash on delivery for their supplies. This certainly seems to be an age of dictators, and this recent example of Igrge organisations, which have a monopoly, taking advantage of existing times should be investigated. I would be pleased if you would refer this matter to a manager of one of the oil -companies, when the public will be greatly interested to know how these Concerns arrive at the halfpenny increase in face of the recent pooling of supplies, which we are led to believe is to reduce overhead and running costs. —I am, etc., Anti-Dictator. [The increase is authorised by the Government.—Ed. O.D.T.]