SILVER COINAGE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10520, 23 February 1920, Page 6

SILVER COINAGE

BILL READ A SECOND TIME. Australian ~,•-' "' -* •ssoriation. (Received February 22, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, February 18. In the Houso of Commons the hill reducing the fineness oi the silver coinago was read a second time. Wr Austen Chamberlain explained the reason loi the enhanced price of silver which was 28d in 1914, and was now over 88d. It would probably bo a Jong time before silver would return to its prewar level.

j Mr Chamberlain rejected a proposal to abolish threepenny pieces for which there is a grea't demand. The Treasury has in readiness quantities of 5s and smaller notes which are undesirable [but must to issued if the bill is not 1 passed. | POSITION OF THE~DOCVIINIONS. CEeuter's Telr-iram.i LONDON, .February IS. The House of Commons has read a second time the Silver Coinage Bill. Mr Austen Chamberlain pointed out that the bill only affected the coinage of the United Kingdom wherever it was current. He announced his intention of moving an amendment making it i clear that in the case of Dominions | which were affected this coinage would not bo made legal tender, oxeept with the consent of the local Government. LEVY ON~GOLD EFFECTS. Australian and N.Z. Cablo Association (Received February 22, 11.5 p.m ) LONDON, February 10. In tho Houso of Commons Mr Austen Chamberlain sr.id tho disadvantages of a compulsory levy oil gold personal effects _ would outweigh tho advantages, while a voluntary levy would produce very little/-