THE MINTING OF SILVER

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21952, 13 May 1933, Page 20

THE MINTING OF SILVER

TO THE EDITOR.

Sib, — 1 was vei’y much interested to read of Mr Walter Nash’s advocacy of the New Zealand minting of New Zealand money. Not altogether out of idle curiosity, I have looked up Hansard (No. 18, page 1175, March 18, 1933), and read the full debate, in which Mr Nash raises this particular issue. But unfortunately the point is only raised, the debate ends with no real answer to the main query.

Briefly, Mr Nash wanted to know why no provision was being made in the Bill for the possible tender for minting by New Zealand commercial enterprise. Apparently the only answer which Mr Coates was able to give to Mr Nash’s repeated queries and arguments was that such provision in the Bill before the House “ would be a definite indication to the master of the Royal Mint and to the British Government that wo were ignoring past arrangements.” Mr Coates continued that he did not wish to do that at this stage. Well, and why not? The master of the Royal Mint apparently has himself stated ’that the department under his control is a trading concern, out for all the profit he can get. If this be so, then why should not it compete in the ordinary way with any other commercial enterprise? This answer to Mr Nash’s cogent and patient reasoning is not at all satisfactory. Is there more in the matter than meets the eye? I notice that the Council of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce has decided to make representations on this matter to the Government. but it appears that it is time some official pronouncement was made in answer to Mr Nash’s further advocacy, to which I have referred. —I am, etc., Dunedin, May 11. Observer.