THE TERM “AUSTRALASIA.”

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 15 November 1926, Page 2

THE TERM “AUSTRALASIA.”

EXAMPLE OF XT,S MISUSE. A striking impression of how the use of the term * * Australasia 5 ’ may have the result of giving an erroneous impression of New Zealand has come under the notice of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce. A copy of a financial journal published in London was forwarded to the chamber with an invitation for criticism and suggestions. Included in the contents was an article on the banking systems of Australasia/’ and the writer devoted the whole of his attention to the banks of the Commonwealth. Among other references, he stated that the State bank had the sole right of issuing notes. In a friendly criticism of the journal, the Chamber of Commerce has used this particular statement as a peg on which to hang a short homily on the difference in peoples and conditions between Australia and New Zealand, incidentally pointing out that there is no State bank in New Zealand, although the State is the principal shareholder in the Bank of New Zealand. Correction was also made with regard to the statement concerning the right of issuing bank notes. The misuse of 1 * Australasia ’ ’ has been engaging the attention of chambers of commerce for some years, and at the next conference of the associated chambers of the Dominion, consideration ,is to be given to a remit from Dunedin urging the adoption of an intensified national campaign against the employment of the word.