EGGS FOR CHILDREN AND INVALIDS

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 218, 10 June 1943, Page 5

EGGS FOR CHILDREN AND INVALIDS

New Rationing Scheme

A preference rationing scheme to ensure a supply of eggs in Wellington and Auckland for invalids, expectant mothers and children under five was announced yesterday by tbe Minister of Supply, Mr. Sullivan. The scheme, which will operate from June 14 to August, was elaborated by the Food and Rationing Controller, Mr. J. E. Thomae. Mr, Sullivan explained that the scheme was being inaugurated to ensure supplies of eggs to those whose need was greatest, and it would apply to those centres where shortages were most acute. . It replaced the present system of unofficial rationing through the Plunket Society and the .Internal Marketing Division. The Rationing Controller would be responsible uor the administration of the new system. Explaining the new procedure the Food and Rationing Controller said that in general the area covered in Wellington was the East Harbour District, the whole of the Hutt Valley to Upper Hutt, and northern areas as far as Porirua and Titahi Bay. Within these areas, preferential consumers could register with a retailer for the supply of eggs at the preferential rate and supplies would oe imide available to the retailer in accordance with the number of such registrations he holds. . , , The first step was for preferential consumers to secure a ration card, which would be available from any permanent Post Office within the area at any time up to June 18, and thereafter from rationing officers, ns follows:—-(1) To any child under the age of 5, on production by the parent of a Plunket book or birth certificate or other evidence of age, together with the ration book of the child. (2) To an expectant mother on presentation of a medical certificate or other such evidence and her ration book. (3) To an invalid on production of a medical certificate specifying the ailment and the nature of the diet prescribed together with the ration book. The consumer must fill in all particulars indicated on the ration card, and take it to the retailer from whom eggs would normally be purchased. The retailer would remove the counterfoil and the card was then to be pasted inside the back cover of the ration book of those for whose benefit it had been issued. The ration book must be presented each week to the retailer, who would cancel the coupons and supply the eggs. Coupons were valid only for the week for which they were issued, and failing redemption during that week were automatically cancelled. Retailers accepting registrations were to remove the counterfoils and apply for registration to the rationing officer, who would give all necessary instructions on the handling of the scheme from the retailer’s point of view. As other schemes for preference eggs would cense on June 12, added Mr. Thomas, those who propose to take advantage of the preference,rationing were urged to secure their ration cards and register before that date.