CO129-541-12 Application by Soviet Oil Company Union Petroleum Trust for permission to erect an oil tank... 14-11-1932 - 28-3-1933 — Page 44

44

EA.

-4-

The

motor

equivalent at the present rate of exchange to about 4d. prices charged for petrol and kerosene are not excessive; spirit is 10 dollars 80 cents per unit of 8 Imperial gallons, equivalent at the present rate of exchange to 1/91d. per gallon; kerosene is 6 dollars 10 cents per 8-gallon unit, equal to about 1/- per gallon, but this price includes two 4-gallon

tins.

Unless there are some reasons which have not been disclosed, it hardly seems fair that the Soviet Oil Trust should be favoured at the expense of the Asiatic Petroleum Company in securing a site on Government land, provided the statement of the latter Company, that they have been endeavouring to secure

a site for the extension of their premises at North Point for a long time, can be substantiated. It is understood that at this

Company's bulk oil installation considerable quantities of petrol and kerosene are packed for re-export to places in South China to the benefit of native labour in Hong Kong.

A copy of this letter has been sent to the Admiralty and the Foreign Office.

I am, Sir,

Your obedient Servant,

Director.