TWO OUNCES A WEEK

Southland Times, Issue 24758, 1 June 1942, Page 4

TWO OUNCES A WEEK

Rationing Of Tea Begins Today (PA.) CHRISTCHURCH, May 30. ' The rationing of tea will begin on Monday on the basis of two . ounces a week for each person, irrespective of age. Ration book holders will not be required to | register with a retailer. It will be ( possible for purchases of tea to be made from any licensed retail shop | or store T coupons are to be used, each coupon representing two , ounces. T coupons Ito 4 may be 1 used at any time during the ; rationed period beginning on Mon- j day. In announcing this the Minister of Supply, the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, said that retailers of tea would require licences, and rationing officers throughout the Dominion had been authorized to issue them upon application from traders who normally dealt in tea. Before licences were issued retailers must declare the stocks of tea held at the start of the rationing scheme, namely, June 1. , , , The rationing of tea had become necessary because of the possibility of the interruption of our supplies from Ceylon and India, from which practically the whole of the world’s requirements of tea were obtained, and because the loss of Java tea, which was 20 per cent, of the world’s supply, reduced the quantity available. Mr Sullivan said. The stocks of tea in the Dominion were most satisfactory, reserves built up in the last six months providing for more than six months ahead on a rationed basis. The Minister added that the export of tea in parcels sent overseas was now prohibited.