NEW RATION BOOKS

Evening Star, Issue 24328, 17 October 1942, Page 4

NEW RATION BOOKS

DIRECTIONS TO PUBLIC

(P.A.) WELLINGTON. October 16. In a statement to-day dealing with the issue of new ration books, which will take place during next week, the rationing controller, Mr J. E. Thomas, explains that the sugar coupons in the current issue of the ration book will expire on October 31, and it lias been decided to bring the coupon numbers relating to tea and sugar into line. Tea coupon numbers, 21 to 26, inclusive, are accordingly cancelled.

When application is being made for the new ration books it will not be necessary to produce the social security books, as the issue of the new books will be made on the production of the current ration book and the surrender of the “ Q ” counterfoil containing the name and address of the ration book holder, and in the case of children under 17 the date and year of birth. The old book will be retained, as the “ M ” and “ 0 ” coupons have not yet expired.

In the case of sugar the consumer will register with the retailer with whom the old book was registered, and the procedure will be exactly the same as previously with regard to the entry of the consumer’s name, etc. Where transfers of registrations are required these will not be permitted without the consent of a rationing officer, unless the consumer changes bis place of residence. Collective consumers, such as boarding houses, hotels, and institutions, who secure supplies wholesale, are required to register their guests or patients in the same manner as the retailer registers his customers. Collective consumers purchasing sugar retail will register their guests with a retailer.

Registration of a customer consuming tea will not be required, and consumers may hand in the ration books at any shop.

In connection with clothing, the “0 ” coupons in the old ration book will be available for the purchase of clothing from Monday next, and will have the same value as the “M ” coupons. Both the “ M ” and “ 0 ” coupons may be used any time up to May 31 of next year. The clothing coupons in the new ration book will not be used until further notice. A supplementary issue of 26 coupons will be made to children between five and 17 years of age on January 1 to cover the extra needs of growing children.