PETROL RATIONING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 April 1940, Page 6

PETROL RATIONING

CHANGE IN SYSTEM MORE EQUITABLE BASIS. ANNOUNCEMENT BY MINISTER. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON. This Day. To allow owners of different types of motor vehicles approximately the same mileage on their petrol rations, a change will bo made in the method of rationing from June 1 next, the Minister of Supply. Mr. Sullivan, announced last night. "New petrol coupons are to be issued with the new number-plates at the end of next month." said Mr. Sullivan. “No reduction is to be macle in the total amount of petrol allowed for pleasure purposes, but to remove an anomaly in the present rationing system, the ‘up to 14.5 horse-power' class is to be divided into two classes, 'up to 9.5 h.p.' and 9.5 h.p. to 14.5 h.p.' "Monthly rations have been fixed on the basis of approximately 220 miles of pleasure running for each class of motor vehicle. The allowance of 12 gallons a month for cars of over 14.5 h.p. remains unchanged. Cars between 9.5 h.p. and 14.5 h.p. will receive nine gallons a month; cars of up to 9.5 h.p.. six gallons a month; and motor cycles, three gallons a month. “It will generally be agreed that the most equitable basis of rationing gives each car-owner as nearly as possible the same mileage, but to provide too many classes would be unduly cumbersome. Though there is naturally a variation in. the mileage to the gallon between certain cars in the same class, the groups have been arrived at with the idea of making the allowances as equitable as possible. As these changes largely afl'ect private owners, the proposals have been submitted to the executives of the North and South Island Motor Unions. Both executives support the action being taken.

‘The coupons will be issued in denominations of 1,2. 3 and 4 gallons, and where an amount less than the face value of the coupon is purchased the service station is authorised to return coupons representing the balance. After June I the present coupons will not be required. "As I have stated before, petrol rationing will not be allowed to interfere with national production. We have set out to keep our consumption within 6 000.000 gallons a month, and if rationing results in a consumption of less than this amount over a period, the saving will be made available in the form of an extra ration.’’