QUALITY OF PETROL

Taranaki Daily News, 24 September 1940, Page 9

QUALITY OF PETROL

POSITION DISCUSSED INVESTIGATION MOOTED A warning t.hat in the interests of tbe motorists of the Dominion the auto- j mobile associations should pay particu- | lar attention to the petrol position was issued by Mr. H. G. Dickie, M.P. at a meeting of the Automobile Association (South Taranaki) at Hawera yesterday. "I think we should appoint a sub-com-mittce to go into the petrol position, said Mr. Dickie, who addetl that he understood that under the present sys- j tem the octane content was lowered. It was essential that when prices were fixed the association should see that the quality of the petrol did not suffer. The garage proprietors and petrol resellers were taking steps to form one organisation, said Mr. Dickie. At piesent resellers were receiving 3d a gallon on their through put, but it was now suggested that they receive 15 per cent. on the cost per gallon. The position should b© investigated so that motorists would be ensured of a good quality at a reasonable price. Should Get More Petrol. Agreement with Mr. Dickie that the associations should do their utmost to get more petrol was expressed by Mr. R. H. Leece. The motor union took up the view that in the main the quality and price was being well controlled, said the secretary, Mr. G. Laurence, who explained that the Government had set up a special committee of the Standards Institute on which the union was represented to deal with the quality of petrol, ancl the Department of Industries and Commerce was very interested in the price question. The motor unions of New Zealand were circulating petitions to all petrol resellers with a view to making representations to the Government. "There are now ten times as many bowsers as are necessary and we must see that no abuses creep in," said Mr. Dickie. "I think that was brought about by the companies insisting that cash be paid for petrol on delivery," said Mr. W. O. Williams. Mr. Dickie: That is so. The chairman, Mr. P. de Launay: 1 should think that the retailer should be in a better position by not having to handle a lot of different grades. Mr. Leece: Up to a certain point, yes. The Government now has a great oppotunity of showing its sincerity in wishing to build up its petrol supplies by utilising the tanks that will become empty shortly. "I think we should appoint a committee to watch tbe petrol position in the interests of the motorists," said Mr. A. H. R. Aniess upon whose suggesion it was decided to leave tbe matter in the hands of the executive.