SHORTAGE OF PETROL.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3417, 23 February 1920, Page 7

SHORTAGE OF PETROL.

SUPPLIES FOR NON-ESSENTIALS TO BE CUT DOWN. J WELLINGTON, Feb. 20. ! Shortage of petrol is being expert- | enced in New Zealand at the present ' time, and is reported to be liaving j serious results in certain c' trying : districts, where farmers are unable to j secure adequate supplies for engines j driving milking machines. Fishermen i have complained of lack of fuel for | their motor launches, and other essential industries have felt the pinch. ! The Prime Minister, referring to the matter yesterday, said the short- j age had been accentuated by the sinking in the Panama Canal of a steamer cany 43,000 cases of petrol for New Zealand. The Government had tried to keep the dairy farmers going, and a point had been reached now where supplies would have to he cut down. ; so far as non-essential industries were concerned in order that essential industries might be protected. He did not think that the acute shortage '■ would continue for more than a few ( weeks, perhaps not more than a fort- I night.