CASTROL VICTIM OF 'RESTRICTIVE CONDITIONS! from a special correspondent
Castrol,one of the most familiar names on the advertising hoardings, is under pressure from the big oil companies, The company has sent out the following letter to people writing in for information:
"seeeds the largest independent lubrication specialists, we are proud that Castrol is Britain's most popular and widely distributed oil. However, we have heard from several motorists that, on calling at certain garages, they have been told that Castrol is no longer in stock. In explanation, we would tell you that certain of the international petrol companies have become landlords of garages and forbid the r tenants to sell Castrol. To other garages they offer sums of money if, in return, Castrol is no longer displeyed on the forecourt or used in the service bay..."
They also enclosed a form to give particulars of any incidents motor= ists might come across of this kind of thing. This form entitled "This fight for freedom is also yours.." explains the "solus" site systems "The Solus Site System of petrol distribution is in principle, as its name implies, an arrangement whereby a garage is committed to sell exclusively the petrol produced by one particular company. A garage proprieter can obtain petrol without going "solus" but, by so doing, and in order to offer the public several makes of petrol, he has to forego 20% of his profit..." We can thank Castrol for making generally known one of the apsects of the so-called private enterprise system.