THE NEW COINS

Hokitika Guardian, 14 December 1933, Page 6

THE NEW COINS

OMISSION FROM INSCRIPTION

REPLY TO COMPLAINT

WELLINGTON, December 12

The omisison of any reference to God and of the words, “Fidei Defensor” .from the inscription on the New Zealand half-crowns was recently, criticised by an. dockland clergyman, the Rev. P. N. Knight. In a reply made to-day the Secretary to the Treasury, Mr A. D. Park, said that the royal style and title on the new coins had been specially approved by hig Majesty the King. “The English coin,” said Mr Knight, “states that George V is 'King, dei gratia, by the grace of God. The New Zealand coin declares him King without any reference to God at all. Yet kings rule and dominions prosper, and we all live and move and have our being by the grace of God. Why should! we refuse to acknowledge this?” I

He went on to condemn the omission of the words “fidei defensor.” defender of the faith. “Having removed all fefe’rence. -to v G°d'V grace •and the. accepted faith of the Empire,” he said, “the coin presents us as objects of loyalty with two Maori tikis—hideous forms —with their tongues

hanging put. Mr Park said that as the designs of the coins'were executed and approved in London, he had had inquiries made at the ‘Royal mint to ascertain the lvrson for the alteration. He aad been advised that hi s Majesty the King had specially -approved the form of the Royal style and title, and the words - being shown in English on all the new Dominion coins. Southern Rhodesian coins were -similar, and in fact Australia- was fhe pnly Dominion with •coins displaying the full style .and title in Latin. “There ig no reason to suppose th a t the inclusm-: of tne Maori tikis in the design is indicative of a lack of religious faith in New •Zealand,” remarked Mr Park. “This form of ornamentation merely embodies a distinctive feature peculiar to the Dominion coinage.”