ALLEGED FORGERY OF PETROL COUPONS

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 238, 5 July 1944, Page 4

ALLEGED FORGERY OF PETROL COUPONS

Remand To Auckland

(By Telegraph -i’ress Association.» WHANGAREI, July 4,

Charged with forging card petrol coupons with intent that they should be acted upon as if genuine, and also being an idle and disorderly person with insufficient lawful means of support, Donald Lamou, salesman, of Auckland, appeared in the Magistrates’ Court again this morning. He was further charged with conspiring with persons unknown to commit a crime punishable by more than three years’ imprisonment—the crime of uttering forged documents, forged petrol coupons. Accused was remanded to appear at Auckland on July 11. Bail was fixed at £250, as before. Counsel’s appeal for its reduction was not granted.

NO DEPRIVATION

Government’s Intentions An assurance that it was not. the intention of tlie Government ns a result of tlie circulation of counterfeit coupons to deprive private motorists of any petrol legitimately due to thorn was given yesterday by the Acting-I’rime Minister, Mr. Sullivan. The announcement of the Oil Fuel Controller in connexion with the matter had hinted that it might be necessary to cancel petrol coupons for a period if the position was not retrieved adequately. “I would like to make it quite dear,” said Mr. Sullivan, “that if for administrative reasons it became necessary to stop tlie sale of petrol to private motorists for a short period as a result of the counterfeit coupon issue, then private motorists would be able to redeem any unused legitimate coupons which may be temporarily cancelled or, of course, equivalent coupons as soon as the sale of petrol to private motorists is resumed. No other thought has at any time entered the mind of the Government.”

Recognition of the seriousness of the situation caused by the circulation of counterfeit petrol coupons was expressed at. a meeting of the council of the Automobile Association (Wellington). “I think we should co-operate and do everything we can to help the Transport Department aud the Oil Fuel Controller to track this thing down,” said the chairman, Mr. E. A. Batt. Members of the council agreed that it was a serious situation, and it was decided to write to the Minister offering every co-operation and help and inquiring what the position would be in the event of cancellation of coupons while new ones were being printed.