DAY'S BIG ISSUE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 245, 16 October 1944, Page 6

DAY'S BIG ISSUE

THOUSANDS APPLY

EAGER FOR NEW COUPONS

Thousands of Aucklanders queued up in the Auckland Chief Post Office for their fourth series ration books to-day, when the rationing authorities had the biggest opening day's rush they have ever known. From the opening of the doors at 8.45, a quarter of an hour before the expected time, there was a dense mass of people. At times there were thirty or more in each of the sixteen queues as clerks worked at top speed to cope with the enormous demand. Many hundreds of books were issued every hour and it was estimated that the total for the day might approach 10,000. As in past issues, there was a sprinkling of applicants who had forgotten to bring their levy books, and they had to be turned away. There were also some who had not acted on the Department's advice to complete their application forms at home and thus save time. One explanation of to-day's rush was that the public had been caught so often in- late rushes that they had decided this time to come early. Another suggestion was that many were out of clothing coupons and wanted to be armed with the new set in preparation for shopping rounds in a fortnight's time. It was also said that the nearness of October 29, the expiry date for the present coupons, compelled people to act more promptly than usual. With the issue of the new ration books the system covering the compulsory surrender of coupons by farmers, and members of their households wherever home-killed meat is consumed, will come into full operation. Those affected are advised to inform the issuing officer when they receive their new ration books, and the officer will arrange for the meat coupons to be taken from the books, and' replaced by a special permit form. The farmer will not be penalised, as the permit will enable him to secure full rations of mpat from a butcher, if he requires them, and coupons for hotel and restaurant meals may be obtained from the rationing office as required. Country people who find it difficult to handle coupons may take advantage of the scheme, and secure permits from an issuing officer in exchange for their meat coupons when their books are issued.

The attention of all persons receiving additional allowances of rationed foods for medical reasons is drawn to the fact that the allowances expire with the current ration books at the end of the month. Those wishing to continue to draw allowances, are advised to secure new medical certificates, or to have their old certificates endorsed before making application for special coupons. In future, it will be necessary for this to be done at three-monthly intervals.