To the Editor:

Let’s talk about the price of gasoline and its ups and downs – mostly ups.

I just returned from Kansas on my way to Yuma for the winter due to personal reasons. The price of gasoline ranged from $2.65 per gallon in North Dakota to Kansas up to $2.89 per gallon. In Thompson it was $1.02 a litre, which comes to $4.08 per gallon.

Some will say our gallon is greater than the U.S. gallon; never mind the bologna, a litre is a litre. Therefore, the price difference from $4.08 pre gallon to $2.89 is $2.19 or 55 cents a litre. Does our people’s government – the NDP – not know this? Why raise in litres and not gallons at the pumps?

When the price of gasoline goes up, say in the U.S., at $10, which comes to 158,980 litres, the rise at their pumps would be three cents a gallon. Not here folks, no sir. Your family’s government – the NPD – raises it at three cents a litre, which is 12 cents a gallon. You’d better believe it.

One other piece of news – in the U.S., the rise of gas goes up within 24 hours. However, when it goes down all stations in the U.S. bring their prices down within 24 hours or less. It’s called fairness. Not here folks. It’s called “gouging”. A few years ago, all the service stations used to say that they couldn’t lower their prices until all the high price gas stations in their underground tanks emptied. Yet on the other hand, when their cheaper underground tanks were full they didn’t wait to unload – no sir – within minutes they raised their price. Another excuse they have is the cost of transportation. Folks, it’s only pennies a gallon.

Have you noticed that the NDP never open their mouths about this? Who would, when they’re making millions?

Maybe we can do something. You can be a member of the Thompson Gas Bar. There is a membership fee of $10. This is a one -time payment and lasts for as long as you are here. Further, discounts are usually between seven to nine per cent yearly, and include everything in the store with the exception of cigarettes and lottery tickets. Every year, in April or May, you will receive a cheque from the co-op covering your dividends. I have been a member since 1977 when it opened.

Folks, for your information, if you care to drive by the Thompson Gas Bar you will see taxis, the RCMP, Manitoba Hydro, MTS, and provincial and federal government people filling their vehicles. This tells you something. I remember when I was a member of the RCMP in the 1930s and 1940s, buying gas from various service stations each month in fairness to each oil company, because prices were the same at every station – not anymore.

During contact with the co-op people, it was pointed out that anyone can purchase there, even though you’re not a member, of course it would mean no yearly dividend cheque.

Well folks, in this way we may get a further lowering of price by joining us?

Harold Kemp

Thompson