SHORTAGE OF PETROL.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 March 1920, Page 5

SHORTAGE OF PETROL.

I NEW GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS. DISTRIBUTION TO BE CONTROLLED. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. In consequence of the shortage of petroleum products throughout the Dominion, the Government lias decided to take control of distribution, and for this purpose has set up a Petrol Committee at Wellington to act in conjunction with the Board of Trade. ,Sul>commivtees have been appointed at Auckland, Christchurch and Dunedin. These committees will deal with all enquiries relative to supplies, and in order to conserve benzine the needs of essential users will receive preference. All orders in excess of five oases must receive the sanction of the Board of Trade's representatives in each centre. Every oil importer will be required to prepave a list daily of supplies and hand it to the Board of Trade's committees. Every distributor of 100 or more cases per week will be required to supply a weekly list to the committees of the persons to whom he has actually supplied, and the quantity.

'The Prime Minister stated that the petrol regulations gazetted on July 12th, 1918, as .to the distribution of petrol were still in force, and any breach of these regulations as to hoarding supplies, or any attempt to secure supplies except through the committees, would be dealt with as a breach for which heavy penalties were provided. The shortage is merely temporary, ar.d stocks to arrive show that the present rigid distribution will not be necessary a few weeks hence. There is enough petrol available at the present time to supply essential industries, and there is no need for anxiety on this account, but economy is essential, and it is with a view to ensuring this that the present control of distribution is being instituted.