PETROL SHORTAGE.

Taihape Daily Times, 26 August 1918, Page 3

PETROL SHORTAGE.

MAXIMUM RETAIL PRICE. The Hon. Arthur Myers (Minister in Charge of Munitions and Supplies) stated to a New Zealand Times representative that it had been recently reported to him. that the Petrol Regulations were, as regards price not being observed in some cases by retailers. The matter was consequently taken, up by the Department with the secretary of the Motor Garage Proprietors’ Association of New Zealand, who was now co-operating by assisting in making the regulations more fully known to all the parties Concerned.

"It may be of interest to the public (added the Minister) to note that the prices which have been fixed by the Board of Trade are the maximum prices which should be paid to retailers, and anyone paying in excess of the gazetted prices is therefore committing a breach of the Petrol Regulations. The prices fixed by the Board of Trade are v as follows, and only in cases where clause (16) applies can a charge bo made at a rate higher than those gazetted. This clause provides that transportation charges may be added to the prices gazetted for the various ports:— "At Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin. —Per case of not less than loss than 8 gallons—Class A 27/6; per tin of not loss than 4 gallons, .13/9; less than 4 gallons (per gal.) 3/6. Class B —per case of not loss than S gallons, 22/6; per tin of not less than 4 gallons, 11/3; less than 4 gallons (per ga.) 3/.

Under Class A where a case eonfain not less than eight and one-third gallons, and additional charge jof jjnc shilling per case may bo made. "The above prices are those at which retailers must sell petrol, it being understood that the Board of Trade controls the price at which importers sell to wholesale and retail distributors. The wholesale prices are fixed by the Board of Trade before they recommend the grant of importing licenses.’’