OIL AND MOTOR SPIRITS.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 April 1918, Page 7

OIL AND MOTOR SPIRITS.

GOVERNMENT ACTION SHIPPING SPACE SOUGHT. An endeavor has been made by tho Government to assist those interested in the importation of case oils, in the direction of proouring shipping space from the United States to New Zealand. In discussing the matter, the Hon. A. M. Myers, Minister for Munitions and Supplies, said this action by the Government had been taken as a result of a conference between himself, his advisers, and the principal importers. There was every prospect of the Dominion's normal requirements being adequately catered for during the next four or five months, said the Minister. In view of the many difficulties in regard to securing shipping space, however, it behoved all consumers of illuminating oils and motor spirits to exercise the keenest economy in their use. He hoped the Government's representation., would result in increased tonnage being obtained, for, in the absence of an adequate supply of ships for this purpose, it would, no doubt, be necessary to consider measures for conserving supplies of oils and motor spirits. Mr. Myers said he was now considering the question of regulation of the distribution of available supplies. Meanwhile suppliers of oil were only delivering to their regular customers the amount of their normal monthly requirements. This would ensure that no one was creating a reserve stock A census was being taken by his Department giving information as to the whole of the stock in hands of consumers and vendors.