PETROL FLOWED FREELY

Chronicle (Levin), 1 June 1946, Page 4

PETROL FLOWED FREELY

WELLINGTON, Mar 31. Petrol flowed freely in Wellington today as niotorists celebrated in advance the end of the wartime rationing system, by cashing their remaining coupons. For service station attendants it was the busiest day in years. "We're flat out," said one, and that summed it up for most of the others. There was, they reported, no laelc of | coupons. Nearly everyone had all they needed to justi'fv the prewar order of "fill her up." * Many also filled tins though most service stations tended to discourage that. They were willing to do it if the necessary coupons were forthcoming. There seemed to be some hesitation about aecepting unreservedIv official assurances that from tomorrow there will be enough petrol for all , normal needs. Though some motorists j took what the trade -described as the same view — filled their tanks- and t-oss-ed awav surplus coupons — most were ! continuously inclined to keep their ^ ; powder dry. No doubt there was a ! psvchological reluctance not to make use of coupons which for so long had j been so precious. ! Other special factors probably helped | to bring about legitimately what, on { the surfaee, might appear to be excess j buving. The prospect of a fine holiday ' weekend coinciding with the end of • rationing no doubt tempted many ] people to plan a trip further afield. It ! has been customary in recent years in such eases, with service stations ! closed from 12.30 p.m. on Saturday till j Tuesday morning, to foresee tliat extra containers 'of petrol might well be rej quired. From tomorrow most 3ervice stations do not intend to fill tins unless a genuine need can be shown. "It is not that we haven 't enough petrol, ' ' said one propriefo'r. ""We have, but we do* not' wast to encourage unnecossary panic buying and hoarding. "