Getting Used To Dollars

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31327, 25 March 1967, Page 14

Getting Used To Dollars

A training programme simulating conditions soon after Decimal Currency Day, July 10, when both currencies will be dealt with, is well under way at the Australia and New Zealand Bank. The programme began in October, according to the accountant (Mr J. D. Nicolson), and this month staff have begun exercises involving handling new one and two

cent pieces, as well as dummy dollar notes and 50 cent pieces. “The first time we handled the new currency, it was not as big a shock as expected, and the staff coped quite well,” said Mr Nicolson. To minimise conversion problems, banks will ask customers to keep amounts in the old currency to 6d and multiples of 6d. They will also keep a close eye on cheques, and advise customers to minimise errors arising through lack of clarity. “For handwritten cheques,” says the Decimal Currency

Board, “the use of a hyphen lessens the possibility of the amounts stated being fraudulently changed, and is much less liable to misreading and misinterpretation than if a point is used.” Customers bringing cheques into banks for cashing on July 10 and written in pounds, shillings, and pence will be asked to change the amount to dollars. Cheque* drawn after July 10 in the old currency will be invalid. Mr Nicolson said a directive would be issued to banks as to the procedure to be followed in these cases. He said care would need to

be taken in writing cheques in the new currency, but at the time of the change the bank would have more tellers on duty than usual, and girls would be available to help customers in making out lodgment slips. In the photograph, taken in the Hereford •tree*, branch of the bank. Miss E. A. Dyer (left) is the “customer” and Miss J. R. GJasson the teller.