MOTORING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23850, 28 December 1940, Page 6 (Supplement)

MOTORING

BY FOCUS

Holiday Trips Carefully Planned OVERCOMING PETROL DIFFICULTIES

TNG.KNUJTY, careful planning and all '• manuer of deals in petrol coupons have made possible holiday motoring trips for many people this year, in spite of the war and fuel rationing. Indications are that there will he hea\\ tiallic on the more popular touring routes during the next two or three weeks, although comparatively lew drivers have been able to beg or borrow enough coupons 1o take tlmm very far afield. Tours will be shorter, but tourists are already on the road in thousands. Many a trip now being enjoyed represents real and difficult saving, because hopes were high that the Government would do as it did last year, and lift fuel restrictions for the holidays, it was not until a comparatively recent Ministerial announcement to the contrary that, motorists realised that they must save coupons or stay at home. Thus many men who walked in October, stored in tins the petrol thus saved, and were able to begin their annual trip with a complete set of 'November-December coupons, with ;i tin or two of petrol in the back as an emergency ration. Others phi lined their holidays in extend from December into January, thus making available lor use in one glorious splash., all l lit; coupons they had saved lor November-

December, as well as those for JanuaryFebruary. It is safe to predict that many a motorist will come back from his tour with only a. gallon or two in his tank, and no more coupons. Considerable walking will be done in January and February by those who mortgaged future supplies for present needs, but it is generally conceded that a successful annual holiday, enjoyed after careful planning, is worth some temporary inconvenience, even loss of use of the car for citv running.