LEGAL TENDER

Hokitika Guardian, 13 January 1932, Page 2

LEGAL TENDER

SILVER NOT COLD. AUCKLAND, Jan. 11. Tlie action of the Mexican Government in declaring silver the only legal tender for the purchase of goods had some curious consequences. Mr Robert Bell, of Christhurch, who returned in the Aorangi from Sydney after presiding at the World Press Congress in Mexico City, recounted some of the difficulties he experienced in persuading the Mexicans to accept gold. “When 1 first entered the country T was not aware of the Government’s enactment,’’ he said, “and being desirious of changing a few dollar bills 'into Mexican currency, I went to an American money changer on the El Paso railway .station to convert them for use on the two day’s jgurney to Mexico City. In exchange the wily American gave me gold. Alter my first meal on the train 1 tendered a gold piece in payment. The waiter expressed surprise and told me he could not accept gold, as silver was the only recognised coinage. As I had no silver, he, as a favour, exchanged my gold for white metal. On both transactions, needless, to say, I suffered the penalty of ignorance.” On another occasion Mr Bell changed a hundred dollar American bill for pesos. The teller passed through a grille a large wooden tray containing o-JO pesos. “Now a ]>oso is larger and heavier than the British half-crown,” said Mr Bell, “and I was perplexed as to how I would stow away on my person this quantity and weight of coins. Seeing my perplexity, the teller offered to sell me a bag for of) centavos to carry them in. T a ecu tod. and tipped the 310 pieces of silver into the hag, and found it so heavy that it nearly hore me down. Struggling to the door, I hailed a taxi and was driven to m.v hotel, where 1 secreted the treasure among inv luggage under lock and key.”