GERMANY'S MOTOR FUEL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 290, 17 May 1915, Page 3

GERMANY'S MOTOR FUEL.

PLENTIFUL SUPPLY W ItEiffiOLE. According to a writer in a recent issiw of tlie Times, lienxole is being extensively used in Germany; in fact, it lias practically taken the place of petrol. "When Galiela -was seized by the Russians, the consequent stoppage in the supply of petrol \va* a severe blow to Germany, and, for a time, a fuel famine seemed imminent, and aTI private motor traffic was at a standstill. However, arrangements were quickly made for the rap'ifi production of benr.ole in large quantities, and it would a'ppear that to-day, in spite of the enormous consumption of ben/.ol« for military use, the supply is more than equal to the demand. Further, taxicab and private cars are running in practically normal proportions. As is generally known, the production of benzoic, from coal leaves A big by-pro-duct of eoke, and a way for the satisfactory utilisation of the latter had te be devised. The German Government apparently tackled the matter with their customary thoroughness, and locomotives are being arranged to bum coke instead of coal. It is difficult to say whether this forced universal adoption of benzole by Germany will have any ■permanent effect upon its more general use after the war, but then! is no doubt lint that a great deal of valuable experience will he obtained.