CHINESE AND GOLD.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVI, Issue 16922, 30 July 1915, Page 2

CHINESE AND GOLD.

ABB THEY HOARDING ITP

[From Otjr Correspondent.] WELLINGTON, July 29

A question was raised in the Hous* of Representatives this afternoon byMr W. H. Field (Otaki) touching upon! the rumoured hoarding of gold by Chinese in New Zealand. Mr Field explained that he had been informed that Chinese were buying up sovereigns at the rate of 20s 6d each. He pointed out that he had mentioned the matter to the Defence Minister, who had said he would make inquiries, but he (MrField) had heard nothing further about it from him. The member memaont** as point to his question if anything had been done in the way of inquiry that in a robbery reported from a! Chinaman's premises in Wellington aj few days ago six hundred pounds was stated to have been stolen in gold. If the Chinese were storing up gold ic hundreds of pounds like tha* it might have a very serious effect on our gold currency in New Zealand.

The Hon J. Allen: I did inquire and I thought that I had informed the member of the result. I find that there is very little reason to suspect that the Chinese are hoarding gold td any extent, but even if they do it not of much importance because thd export of gold is absolutely prohibited*