SUPPLY OF BENZINE.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 July 1920, Page 4

SUPPLY OF BENZINE.

INCREASE IN PRICE. STJSAMER ARRIVES FROM NEW YORK. The new American steamer Donald McKay, 7000 tons, arrived at New Plymouth yesterday from New York, via Auckland and Wellington. The vessel has 10,000 cases of benzine and 5000 cases of kerosene for Taranaki, and after discharge she proceeds direct irom hera to Australia.

The Donald McKay first left Wellington at 11.30 o'clock on Saturday morning for New Plymouth, but put back to the stream at Wellington at 6 o'clock on Saturday evening for minor repairs in her engine-room. The repairs were effected and the vessel resumed her. voyage at 7.40 o'elock on Sunday evening. The benzine brought by the Donald McKay waß booked at an "open" prioe, and yesterday advice was received that the price had been increased by 2/6 a case, plus an earlier increase of Is. This Increase has been sanctioned by the Board of Trade since the Donald McKay arrived in' New Zealand, so it means that Taranaki consumers will pay 3s 6d a case more for the benzine brought by her than Auckland and Wellington paid for benzine from the same shipment. The matter was placed before Mr;; S. G. Smith, M.P., yesterday, and' he talegraphed the following emphatic protest to the prime Minister: "Please have Urgent enquiries made regarding increMei in the price of benzine ex Donald McKay. The price was raised on the 16tl ins't. from 29/6 to 30/6 at Welßngton, plus Cd at New Plymouth, and ftu morning, before the arrival of the steamer,, the price was again raised 2s pe; case. This means an additional £SOOC to be exacted from the public Without any apparent reason. Any action will be useless unless it is prompt." At a late hour last night Mr. Smith had not [received a reply.