PENNIES RATIONED

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 11 November 1942, Page 4

PENNIES RATIONED

SHORTAGE IN NELSON A noticeable shortage of pennies for change is being experienced by shopkeepers in Nelson as in most parts of the country to-day. Diverse reasons for the shortage were advanced in response to enquiries. Some blamed the increase to 7d in the price of beer, some thought the new price of 2/10 for tobacco might account for it, and even the children were suspected of hoarding more pennies in their money-boxes than previously. Whether it was beer, tobacco or youthful thrift responsible, the fact remains that the shortage has recently been so acute that at least one local bank has had to introduce rationing of copper coins. Some traders requiring large amounts in copper coins have been issued with only a portion of their needs and advised to make application for further supplies in the course of a day or two when the public had paid in some of the pennies in circulation.

An official of one Nelson bank stated that shortage could not be attributed to any one factor, but the increase of a penny in the prices of many commodities involved the use of additional pennies for change. The shortage was apparent throughout the country and extra supplies could not be obtained from the Reserve Bank, which no doubt had been unable to import the extra coins from England where they are minted. Evidence that the shortage is not as acute in Nelson as in some other parts of the country is gained from the fact that in Blenheim notices are displayed in at least one shop instructing the assistants to request that pennies be included in payment whenever possible.