SILVER COINS

Hokitika Guardian, 24 May 1933, Page 8

SILVER COINS

PROSPECT OF MINTING IN N.Z.

DUNEDIN, May 22.

The proposal '‘to 1 Increase silver coinage ill ” the Dominion 'WaS commented‘’on by-’a jrepreSefatative of a welbknown ; firih of engravers ini the city. He Infbrin’frd- a reporter to-day that if the proposal were adopted it was 'extremely ‘ dodbtful whether the minting of coins would be done in New Zealiind.

It'was'.stilted that while there'would be' no ; difficulty in' producing' coins of the required standard, no fit in ill this cdhntfy 'had machinery capable of turning’thom out'iff sufficient (quantities to enable it to compete effectively with the Melbourne mint, which, in the event of the’coinage being increased, would probably secure a contract from the New' Zealand Government. Even if any New Zealand firm desired to undertake minting, it would he necessary to obtain the requisite machinery from England, and the opinion was oressed that by the time this had been ‘done,' and' the plant assembled and in ‘Working order, at least 12 months would have elapsed before the first, issue of coins could he made. In the circumstances, it was thought that New Zealand engravers would be content to allow the work to be done in Australia.

LOCAL MINTING FEASIBLE

(Per Press Association — Copyright.)

WELLINGTON,. May 23,

A request to submit a quotation for the minting of a New Zealand .silver coinage has been received by a wellkrijo.w,n. Wellington engineering and engraving firm.

The principal of this firm says that New Zealand- is quite capable of producing' its own coinage, and the plant is available. His firm has produced three-Q.uarters of a million coins for the City Milk Deparment.