supplies are dwindling

... But other islands find supplies are dwindling

The world fuel crisis is starting to bite in the Pacific Islands. As suppliers cannot guarantee deliveries some form of fuel rationing has become necessary. In most cases this is voluntary, with a threat of mandatory cuts; in other cases there are legal restrictions on the use of fuel, On top of the shortage the Arab exporting nations have imposed savage increases in the price of fuel, and this will eventually flow through to commercial and domestic users of fuel. Inflationary trends will be given another boost.

There was panic buying of fuel in the Cook Islands after Mobil advised there would be a 20 per cent cut in supplies. Some customers produced 44 and four-gallon drums, and it soon became apparent the available bulk supply was seriously reduced.

On December 10, the government introduced stringent energy fuel rationing in Rarotonga. There were also economy measures in the outer islands, which have very little motor traffic. The Rarotonga weekly ration was five gallons for trucks, three gallons for cars and utilities and only half a gallon for motorcycles. Kero-

sene and diesel fuel were also rationed.

The Nauru Phosphate Commission, which supplies power to the island, warned that greater efforts than pre viously were needed to conserve power. There had been savings, but not enough, and official restrictions loomed. Nauru is expected to receive its next shipment of fuel in March, by which time the island will be down to two weeks’ supply. The suppliers will not guarantee the quantity in the next shipment.

In the GEIC there was also panic buying, which resulted in motorists being restricted to one gallon and motor-cyclists to half a gallon. It was ordered that petrol had to go into a vehicle tank, effectively cutting off attempts to fill containers. In some circumstances, with official per mission, fuel could be sold in con tainers. Some GEIC bus services were withdrawn; others were re scheduled.

Tonga initially relied on an appeal to cut the use of fuel after oil com panics advised supplies would be cut

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by 20 to 25 per cent. The Electricity Board is the biggest user of fuel in Tonga. The government appealed to the people to cut out the use of appliances, or use them sparingly, and restrict lighting to an absolute mini mum. People were asked to cut out unnecessary motoring, and, where possible, to use gas instead of electricity for cooking. The govern ment warned against hoarding of fuel, saying it was an offence to build up stocks in times of scarcity.

Western Samoa also experienced panic buying, which was unnecessary as Mr Peter Paul, managing director of Gold Star Transport Co, said there was enough petrol for everybody.

But that did not stop motorists top ping up their tanks, and queueing up outside petrol stations. There was a 20 per cent cut in oil for power generators, and voluntary cuts were called for.

Fiji must be close to official ration ing. The government made an early appeal for restraints, and although there was some response almost rijjt across the board, it was not sufficient.

The government wanted a 20 per cent cut in power output, but the target was not reached. The cuts in power were likely to lead to further argu ment over the building of hydro electric power stations.

In the US Trust Territory the fuel problems have delayed the return to their home on Bikini of the people who were evacuated for the nuclear tests in the late 19405. It had been hoped to return them from Kili, where they have been living, by Christmas, but this proved too opti mistic.

Officials are unable to say when they can ship building materials to Bikini.