HOLIDAY PETROL

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 66, Issue 47, 5 December 1945, Page 2

HOLIDAY PETROL

THREE COUPONS MAY BE USED (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Dec. 4. Petrol coupons six, seven, and eight will now be available at any time during the three months December, January, and February. This was announced this evening by the Minister of Supply (the Hon. D. G. Sullivan), who said he hoped the concession would facilitate the making of holiday arrangements. “Representations have been made to me recently by the North and South Island Motor Unions for more petrol for the holiday period, and for an extended interchangeability of coupons,” said Mr Sullivan. “Unfortunately the stock and supply position is still such that the present allowances of holiday petrol are on the most generous scale practicable. An increased ration would not be possible without the risk of depletion of stocks id some centres. The supply position has not changed, and the dollar problem is still the paramount factor in the situation.” He added, however, that he was pleased to announce that he had agreed with the request of the motor unions to extend the interchangeability of coupons. There was considerable alarm among many motorists in Ashburton this morning concerning the above announcement and this was checked against one issued on October 11, which stated that coupon No. 5, for November, would be negotiable in December as well as coupon No. 6. As no mention of coupon No. 5 was made in the latest announcement, it was feared that motorists W’ho had retained it to use this month had lost the opportunity of collecting on it. Inquiries, from retailers, however, elicited information that coupon No. 5 will be negotiable until the end of this month, as previously announced.