NOTES OF THE DAY

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 185, 3 May 1933, Page 8

NOTES OF THE DAY

Recently Parliament discussed the question of this Dominion having its own silver coinage. The outcome was a statutory authorisation to the Minister of Finance to contract with the Royal Mm, for the purchase of a new silver coinage. It has since been Kamel that a definite offer has been made to the Government by vhat is termed “a reputable and substantial New Zealand company wit. adequate guarantees to establish a silver mint iflxvew Zealand. \A h\. it is Q asked, should not this coinage work be carried out in the Dominion. Naturally the questions of cost, workmanship and safeguards an What of the costs? The New Zealand firm undertakes to do r minting at definitely lower cost than that quoted by the Royal M nt It undertakes that the quality of the coms will, be piccisely sm , to those produced at the Royal Mint As to conti ol checks a safeguards” these, it is pledged, will be equal in efficiency to those, adopted by the Royal Mint. The position thus would seem to be that if we are to have a new coinage we could get it made cheapei in New Zealand than in Australia or England. Why not. Appaiently it is not possible as the law stands owing to the Act passed last session authorising only the purchase of the stiver coinage from the Roval Mint. No' provision was made for the Minister ot Finance to arrange, for the purchase in New Zealand. I his, it is thought, was merely an oversight, and in any case it can be remedied. .1 lamlv if (he facts are as stated the Government should not commit itself to anv contract with the Royal Mint. I f it is possible to make a better bargain for silver coinage minted in New Zealand than tor that purchased overseas, and al the same time find employment lot Nev. Zealanders in the work of minting, then the argument is all in favour of local industry.

It is interesting to notice that among the resolutions, adopted at the recent conference between the representatives oi the New Zealano and Australian Dairy Boards was one emphasising the'importance of stimulating the Home markets by advertising and propaganda. Copies of Glasgow newspapers received by this weeks mail contain interesting references to New Zealand’s produce week" in that city and illustrate the field of possibilities in this connection. The event was made the occasion lor special advertising displays, articles and photographs about New Zealand, and special articles by the. High Commissioner and “Economist on the. development.of our produce trade with Scotland. On the whole it was an. imposing effort, which should have produced its effect. It is satisfactory to note that the New Zealand Office in London is putting its weight into the campaign for the popularising of our products in Britain. It. is a sound maxim of trade that customers must he wooed and won. The organising of these New Zealand weeks in the various Home centres is an excellent idea for achieving that purpose, provided they are followed tip actively on the marketing side.