BANK NOTE DESIGNS

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 125, 30 May 1930, Page 8

BANK NOTE DESIGNS

(To the Editor.)

*• iT 1. llave before me ■ quite---a collection of bank notes issued by the various banks operating in New Zealand.' The word collection" is appropriate here, for what other country issues so many different notes alike? The designs on notes and coins arc-usually symbolical of their respective countries, but to me the New' Zealand symbol is an enigma—but controversial. Further, very little homage is shown to England,/although (I mention-this for. what it conveys) 3rd June is a public holiday here. I give two examples from my collection:— , , . ; .■■■■■.:■

■The Union-Bank of Australia, Ltd., depicts Britannia sitting on a bale of wool • in w*hat "appears to me to be a.-ivery undifinified position. The 'production ■ -.i.of wool is oue of the largest. industries m New Zealand, and such a useful commodity as wool does not need covering.' In the background there are two figures symbolising the bad days of smuggling;.in. the middle a photo, under which is the date, 1837. On the reverse side appears "Advance, Australia" (why not "Advance, New Zealand"?), the cross o£ St. John, black swan, Southern Cross, Imperial lion, Royal Standard and Crown, and a shield with two figures. One is of a Maori; the other is iin-iipipherable—it might be of a minister (denomination uncertain) or a soldier. The Bank of New Zealand note depicts two pictures indicating what may be found in New Zealand, but the centre picture isa puzzle. I understand the scales typify "Justice," and the two figures "Equal-, ity," and that one o£ the figures is tbat o£ a Maori or an aborigine of Australia, but I do not know for what. the other figure stands. At the back of the ng-. uves one can just discern the Royal btandard and Crown, but it*is not clear why it is placed there. Below this there appears something with a halo round it, and below —a cross. . I should be grateful for. information why the notes are so designed, by whom they are designed, and what they represent; and as there may be others similarly interested, I should be glad if you could find space in your paper for this letter, m the hope that it might reach the eye ot readers conversant with these matters. May I comment .also on the coins used in New Zealand? Considering New Zealand was granted Constitutional rights before Canada and Australia, it seems strange that it has not yet issued any copper or silver coins? On all sides one hears "Advertise New Zealand!" It seems to me that a golden opportunity of advertising is being lost here. Most tourists keep a few coins of the respective countries as mementoes of their tours, so why. not issue New Zealand coins for this us well as other reasons?—l am, etc., " '.' NUMISMATIST.