SILVER ONLY

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 9, 12 January 1932, Page 7

SILVER ONLY

MONEY IN MEXICO

VISITOR'S DIFFICULTIES

. (By Telegraph.) • (Special to "Tha. Evening Post.") ■;".'. AUCKLAND, 11th January. . The Mexican Government, in de'elaring: silver.-the only:legal tender for the purchase of goods, has imposed a good deal.of inconvenience on the unwary. : Mr; Kobert Bell; of Christchurch, who returned- by the Aorangi from Sydney after presiding: at the "World Press Congress 'in' Mexico City, recounted" some .of the difficulties-he .experienced in persuading Mexicans to accept gold. ;.: "■When'l first entered the country I was-not aware of the Government?s enactment," he said, "and being desirous of changing a few dollar, bills into Mexican currency, I went to an American money changer on, the El Paso railway station to convert them for use on the two days' journey to Mexico City. In exchange the wily American gave mo gold. After my first meal, on the-train-1. tendered a gold. piece in payment.. The'• waiter expressed surprise and' told me-he could not accept gold, as silver was the only recognised coinage. As I had no silver, he, as a favour, exchanged ,my ..gold for the. white metal.' On : both transactions,' needless to say, I the penalty of ignorance." :;, '■ ■ |

.On another occasion Mr..801l changed k lOOidollar American': bill for pesos. The teller, passed through the grille' a large Ti'Opden tray containing 340 pesos.' . "_'"'NowJ.'a,-.pesb is'larger, and- heavier 'than a British half-crown," said Mr. Bell, "and I was perplexed as to how* I would stow • away on my person this quantity, and weight of coins. Seeing my perplexity, the teller offered to sell me a bag.for 50 centavos to carry them in. • I accepted, tipped the 340 pieces of ■■sHyeiWiitoV-tHo'- bag, and' found : it' so h'eavy : -'tlfat It'.■nearly bore me down; Struggling to the door, I hailed a taxi and was driven- to,,my hotel,-where: I secreted th"&-,treasure among my luggage under'lock'.aiid key." ." ■ 1. ;