REPLACING OF COUPONS

Southland Times, Issue 24057, 22 February 1940, Page 6

REPLACING OF COUPONS

Petrol Sets Lost Or Destroyed MORE TO BE MADE AVAILABLE (United Press Association) WELLINGTON, February 21. Arrangements which had been made for the investigation of cases of loss of petrol coupons were announced by the Minister of Supply (the Hon. D. G. Sullivan) tonight. The Minister said that his attention had been drawn to many cases of hardship arising from the loss of coupons. Any motorist desiring to have his case investigated must make a statutory declaration setting out the circumstances in which the coupons had been lost or destroyed. The declaration must be attested by a qualified person and carry the statutory 3/- duty stamp. When the coupons had not been destroyed, but lost or misplaced, the declaration must contain a clause to the effect that the set of coupons originally issued would be surrendered if traced. If only part of the coupons had been lost or destroyed that fact must be noted on the declaration. The declaration was to be handed in to the DeputyController, who was empowered to investigate each case on its merits. A charge of 5/- would be made for each duplicate set of coupons issued. “If the holder of a petrol licence does not purchase the full amount allowed in any one month, this fact will not be used against him during future months when his full allocation is required,” said Mr Sullivan. “Motorists who do not utilize the whole of their licences are helping the country in the war effort. They will not be prejudiced by these economies.” The Minister said that advice had reached him of motorists virtually wasting petrol in order to use up the full quota allowed. Other cases had been reported of drivers offering to make the unused surplus available to service stations for resale. The persons concerned were probably not aware that this was illegal. The petrol obtained under the licence was for consumption in the vehicles named in the licence.