Horsepower To Govern Petrol Ration From June

Northern Advocate, 12 April 1940, Page 3

Horsepower To Govern Petrol Ration From June

[Per Press Association Copyright ] WELLINGTON, This Day. To allow owners of different types of motor vehicles approximately the same mileage on their petrol ration, a change will be 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 new number plates at the end of next month,” said Mr Sullivan. “No reduction is to be made in the total amount of petrol allowed for pleasure purposes, but to remove the anomaly in the present rationing system, the up to 14.5 horsepower class is to be divided into two classes, up to 9.5 horsepower, and 9.5 horsepower to 14.5 horsepower. The New Ration. “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 horsepower remains unchanged. “Cars between 9.5 horsepower and 14.5 horsepower will receive nine gallons a month, cars of up to 9.7 horsepower six gallons a month, and motorcycles three gallons a month. “It will be generally 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. Although there is naturally variation in the mileage to the gallon between certain cars in the same class, groups have been arrived at with the idea of making the allowances as equitable as possible. “As these proposals have been submitted to the executives of the North and South Island Motor Unions, both executives support the action being taken. “Coupons will be issued in denominations of one, two, three and four gallons. After June 1 the present coupons will not be required. “As I have stated before, petrol rationing will not be allowed to interfere with national production,” Mr Sullivan added. “We have set out to keep our consumption within 6,000,000 gallons a month, and if rationing results in the consumption of less than this amount over a period the saving will be made available in the form of an extra ration.”