Motorists asked to keep w.o.f. duplicates

Press, 24 June 1983, Page 4

Motorists asked to keep w.o.f. duplicates

Wellington reporter

The Ministry of Energy still wants motorists to retain warrant of fitness duplicates as pass-cards to rationed petrol. When petrol rationing became a possibility several years ago, motorists were asked to keep warrant of fitness duplicates as part of their entitlement to petrol rations if such a system were introduced.

Many motorists now discard the duplicates, and questions have been asked about the sense of retaining it when petrol rationing seems unlikely. The Ministry of Energy said yesterday that a fall of 15 per cent in supplies could happen at any time, and

continue for a while. This would make rationing necessary. “If people haven’t got their duplicate, they will cause administrative problems for themselves,” a spokesman said. Australia, Britain, and Canada had rationing schemes ready for immediate application, even though Australia was 80 per cent self-sufficient in transport fuels. On the first occasion an explanatory note was put out with the duplicate, but had not been since. The duplicate carried its own explanation. The Ministry said that half of warrants were issued by garages, and staff

could not be expected to explain to motorists why the duplicates should be kept Staff in local authority testing stations could, however.

To be entitled to petrol rations, a motorist must produce ownership papers, to show the car is his; driver’s licence to show that he uses the vehicle, and a warrant of fitness duplicate to show the vehicle’s roadworthiness. Without the warrant duElicate petrol coupons might e issued for a “twowheeled wreck in the back yard. “Duplicates mightn’t be the best way, but come up with something better if you can,” the spokesman said.