MOTOR FUEL

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 435, 20 January 1933, Page 2

MOTOR FUEL

FAMOUS MOTORIST FORETELLS DEATHKNELL OF MINERAL OILS. In the use of a mixture of industrial vegetable alcohol and benzol, produced from brown coal, Mr. S. F. Edge for 30 years one of the most prominent figureS associated with the development of the motor car and the motor industry in England sees a possible means of escape foi} the whole world, and for New" Zealand in particular, from the difficulties of the present'tinie&. Mr. Edge, who as a racing motorist in the first years of the century was one " of the first to realise the practical value of the pneumatic tyre to-day, who forecast the use of the six-cylinder engine, heing laughed at for his prophecy, who suggested that ships should be propelled by internal combustion engines, and who was formerly president of the coUncil of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Trader's of Great Britain, has arrived in Christchurch on a visit to relatives there. He is now retired from business, but is still keenl'y interested in everything connected with the motor trade. , Better Than Petrol. "I have very great hopes," he said, "for the future of a motor fuel consisting of a mixture of industrial alcohol and benzol. It is a mixture which gives better results than petr'ol, and which is a great deal cheaper. The p'ossibilities for New Zealand are immense. Industrial alcohol can be made from pOtaoes, sugar beet, maize, and many other common agricultural produets by a simple process, an.d benzol is produced,- also,' by a wellknown and highly-practical- commercial proceSs, from brown coal, of which I believe you have huge sUpplies' in New Zealand. ' To me, there 'Seems no rea'son'^hy you "should import any fuel at aii. "This may be a turning point in the world's troubles," Mr. Edge r6marked. "What is 'causing half the , difiiculties to-day ? Simply the fact that the farmer cannot find an assured market for his produce." If the world used the fuel I have" suggesied the farmers everywhere would be in a position tp sell everything they could produce without the slightest difficulty. ' "In New Zealand you could produce great quantities of industrial alcohol and great supplies of benzol. Moreover, you have a plentiful supply- of electric' peW6r; f or " Jproduction "purposes. The money you send away to buy petrol would then be employing large numbers of men, besides cheapening the cost of your fuel."