NEW ZEALAND NOTES REFUSED

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 103, 25 January 1939, Page 12

NEW ZEALAND NOTES REFUSED

Inconveniences In Fiji BANKS DECLINE BUSINESS Inconveniences similar to those encountered by New Zealanders in Sydney were experienced by visitors to Fiji when the regulations for the control of exchange were introduced in New Zealand, says the Rev. J. Hardie, who is on furlough in New Zealand from Fiji. New Zealand paper and silver money could not be exchanged for Fijian, even at the Bank of New Zealand. Fiji has its own currency, but because of the close association of the islands with New Zealand, New Zealand notes and coin have been readily accepted by banks and business houses in return for Fijian money, with an exchange adjustment. When the regulations were introduced the banks, including the branches of the Bank of New Zealand and the Bank of New South Wales in Suva, declined to negotiate New Zealand Reserve Bank Notes, said Mr. Hardie. Immediately business people found that out they did the same. A young New Zealand woman of his acquaintance had been, in a sense, stranded in Suva by the introduction of the regulations, for she was unable to use her New Zealand money. He assisted lier by exchanging her money for Fijian, knowing that he would be coming to New Zealand and would be able to use it.

The situation remained the same when he left on January 6, and apparently would continue, to the inconvenience of tourists.