DUTIES ON OIL.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 September 1915, Page 2

DUTIES ON OIL.

THE 'POSITION IN NEW PLYMOUTH. TAXI DRIVERS WAITING. The imposition of a duty of 4d a gallon on benzine and kerosene is causing much interest in New Plymouth, as in other parts of the Dominion. While both articles are now being sold at the usual price, which will continue so long as the stocks in store last, an unusual situation will be created by the arrival this week of new importations Which will be subject to the new duty. The position, as explained to a News reporter is that the cause of tho uneasiness among dealers and customers as not due to the increase in price so much as to the fact that the new duty applies only to future importations. Stocks already in bond or in store are not subject to it. It happens that an oilladen steamer is now at Auckland, and it is in connection with thi3 vessel that tho Chief interest in the question is centred. The oil which will be delivered from her will be subject to the duty and will consequently bo sold at the higher price. In the meantime, the oil companies are selling to regular buyers at the old price, from their stores. But only normal quantities are being supplied. As soon as the duty was announced, the oil companies were inundated with orders, although only 25 cases are allowed to ho stored in any one building, much larger orders were received from individual firms. After filling all orders received during the first two days, the companies decided to limit the amount of each order.

The position as far as it concerns the drivers of motor-cars for hire in New -Plymouth is attracting some notice, as people are asking if the fares are to be raised. Enquiries show that there is to be no increase in fares yet and the attitude of the taxi drivers is one of waiting to see what change will take place in the benzine market when the new importations are received. 'One taxi driver stated that ho bad a small quantity of benzine in hand for which lie : had paid the old price of Ms Gd a case, but a merchant had stated that the price of new stocks would be ISs 2d per case. The taxi driver pointed out tiiat i'f existing fares wero wllwied to when owners were paying more for benzine tlley would be losers, and consequently he thought the drivers would then take some action to raise the iares. The ordinary fare at .present is 1-s per mile, with a minimum fare of 2s, while by the 'hour the fares are lis Gd lor the first Jiour, 10s for the second hour, and 7s (id for the third hour, while special contracts are made by arrangement. These fares are fixed by the Borough Council, and taxi drivers have no power to alter them, hut if the duty passes Parliament they will be forced to protect themselves, and will arrange !o petition the Borough Council, asking for higher fares to be fixed.