NEW ZEALAND COINAGE

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 106, 8 May 1933, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND COINAGE

(Te tha Editor.)

Sir, —Your correspondent, "8.A.,"' in Friday's "Post," in urging the Government to quick action in connection with the proposed coinage, makes a rery weak attempt to throw cold water on the proposal to have the coins manufactured m New Zealand. He says that he, personally, cannot see what' lasting benefit would be derived from the establishment of a local mint. I can think of qiute a number of benefits which would accrue: permanent employment for a few of our .fellow-citizens; more business for the grocer and the baker; more money for the State. It would hardly be worth while mentioning these to "8.A." though, Mr. Editor. He'd mnch rather give employment to the English workman and go on paying his shilling in the £. "8.A." says everyone knows that New Zealand is, and always will be, a farming country. I would suggest that "8.A." is many years behind the times, for, today, thinking people generally recognise that diversified industries are essential to the progress of New Zealand. and this opinion was recently expressed by the Prime Minister himself. In any case. Sir, so far as the coinage jg concerned, the point at issue is not what benefits will accrue from making the coins in New Zealand, although goodness only knows, those are evident enough. The local manufacturers have made a very reasonable request for an eqnal right to tender for the work in open competition, and, as Mr. Leonard McKenzic says in his letter, common justice demands that the law be amended to give them that right.—l am, etc., JOHN CITIZEN.