BENZINE SUPPLIES.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 July 1921, Page 7

BENZINE SUPPLIES.

A FULL MARKET. The exigencies of the benzine market'd which so seriously incommoded consumers last year, appear to have passed, if not definitely, at least for some time to come. Inquiries made in Auckland show that there is a full market, there being more brands of fuel, and probably a greater quantity, than at any previ> ous period. With everything auguring’ a constant supply of the standard-* brands, a shortage when the demand intensifies during the summer does not appear probable. The advent of the shortage gave ris(( to a propensity among importers tq dabble in benzine, and the result was the founding of -a new company in Auckland, and the introduction of at least half-a-dozen new lines, most of which were job lines usually of inferior quantity, and too crude for the average consumption. The perspective of tba • recruits to the benzine trade appears tq have been somewhat at fault, for consumers soon replenished their denuded! stocks, and with the supply of the stan*' dard brands becoming normal, benzinei dealing has not resulted in such lucrative business as was expected. It is estimated that the winter consumption is about 30,per cent, less than the sunn mer, the laying up of milking plants unn til September, lessened launch traffic* and a slighter demand for motor purposes being contributory factors. The fact that immediately supplies became easier at the beginning of the year, coni sumers heavily replenished their stocks* has also to be taken into consideration, in connection with the present state of plenty. Supplies are coming along regu« larly from America, and at this time there are three vessels at the wharves discharging 30,000 cases for the port, while next week a consignment from, Sumatra is due.

Some surprise is expressed at the in* formation that the Canostata is to picld up 60,000 cases of oil from Wellington* It is understood that this is part of 150,000 cases which are being re-shippedi to America on account of the inferior quality of the fuel; this withdrawal* however, will not prejudically effect sup< plies as compensating shipments are be*, ing hurried along. As regards values the present price foi* the standard, oils of 31s Gd a case, less trade discount, seems likely to remain for six weeks at least, and this will probably be the stabilised price for the. year. There has certainly been a downward fluctuation during the year, for, in. December last 35s Gd was the standard, price. In April this fell to 32s fid. and on June 10 last a further reduction of jls was made. Recently the American, [quotations dropped by 1 1 /* cents a galI lon, but it will be several months beforq ■Uuaja roflaelsd iu .tar. Zealand-