SHORTAGE OF PETROL

Taranaki Daily News, 24 July 1920, Page 4

SHORTAGE OF PETROL

TARANAKI FARMERS' WANTS. PART SHIPMENT GOES ELSEWHERE (By Wire.—Parliamentary Reporter.) Wellington, Last Night. The shortage of petrol was mentioned in the House of Representatives to-day. Mr. Powdrell (Patea) complained thai the Government was not encouraging people to relieve the shortage by direct importations. Hawj>ra farmer.? had imported 3000 cases of benzine by the Westralia, and they had been informed by the Board of Trade that they could only have 2000 cases, the remaining TOOO cases being required for distribution in Wellington. - Taranaki farmers were threatened with a shortage of petrol in the milking season, and this interference with direct importation was not helping them.' The President of the Board of Trade (Mr. Lee) replied that he would make inquiries on the point. Dr. Newman (Wellington East) asked if the Government was making any attempt to secure supplies of oil from the Anglo-Persian Company. The Australian Government had made an arrangement with this company, and had overcome the shortage, while New Zealand was still suffering. Mr. Lee promised to have inquiries made regarding the Australian arrangements. The consumption of petrol was enormous all over the world, and it was questionable if the supply would permit of everybody having all they wanted. The public might not' be able to use petrol in the future as freely as in the past. The Government was trying to ensure that preference would be given to essential industries. Dr. Newman: What I want to know is why the Government has not made an arrangement with the Anglo-Per6ian Oil Company similar ,to the arrangement made in Australia, where they have plenty of oil.

Mr. Lee: I have no knowledge that Australia lias this large supply of oil. Or. Newman: You are behind the times ; it has. Dr. Newman -added that he believed Australia was importing the crude oil and refining it within the Commonwealth.