Minister Explains System Of Rationing

Chronicle (Levin), 17 February 1948, Page 4

Minister Explains System Of Rationing

Press Assocfationj

(Per

WELLINGTON, Feb. 17. Private ears will receive monthly petrol rations of twelve gallons for those over "14.5 horse power, nine gallons for those betweeni 9.5 and 14>>5 horse power and six gallons for those up to 9.5 horse power. Motor eycles will re- . ceive three gallons. Coupons which are not used in one month will be valid for the next ^succeeding month. These *details of th'e Government's petrol rationing scheme, comihg into force on March 1,. were announced today by the Minister of Supply, Mr. Nordmeyer. The Minister . said that the new system,. while similar in most respects to that operating in wartime, had been simplified with a view to saving manpower. CoupOns would be is•sued for all private cars and motor cycles. Basic rations had been flxed •for all other classes of users, including commercial cars and trucks, and these would be announced later in the week. Coupons would be available at post offices, where the postmaster was deputy r.egistrar of motor vehicles, as from tomorrow. It would materially assist, said the Minister, if motorists arranged to collect their coupons within the next seven days. Applications for basic rations by commercial users would be reeeived as from F-ebruary 23, by which time it was hoped that private car owners wouid have collected their coupons, thus leaving the rationing staff free to deal with licences. Application forms for licences would be obtainable at post offices. The Minister said. the allowances provided unddr coupons and the basic ration would account for practically the whole of the petrol available, and would leave only a small reserve to be applied to those cases where considerations of national urgency warranted an emergen'cy allocation. It was hoped that users would do their utmost to adjust their running to their basic ration. Those unable to 'do so may apply for suppiementary rations. These applications should be made to the local deputy registrar of motor vehicles, and will be decided by the Oil Fuel • Controller. The .Minister said the new system would ensure that the petrol available would be divided equitably, obviating the scramble under the present system and preventing the greedy and unscrupulous user from getting more than his • fair share.