DIRTY BANK NOTES.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9079, 1 May 1908, Page 4

DIRTY BANK NOTES.

The issue of dirty bank notes has frequently drawn forth protests from the official head of the Health Department. The subject is now occupying the attention of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce. That body has suggested the intervention of the health authorities, and Dr Mason has replied expressing regret that the procedure followed at Home by the Bank of England cannot be adopted hsre. That is—that every dirty bank note after being returned to thi bank is destroyed. Dr Mason does not, however, promise more than to draw the attention of the bankers to the complaint of the Chamber of Commerce. In his letter to that body he naively remarks:— "The Public Health Act has many drastic clauses, and the officers appointed under the Act have many powers, but the destruction of banknotes is not one of them." Perhaps the Chief Health Officer will suggest to his political chief the desirability of legislative enactment in the matter. A huge percentage of the bank notes in circulation at the present time are almost indescribably filthy and ought to be destroyed on being returned to the banks. These disgusting money slips must be a menace to the health of the community to as great an extent as impure milk supplies-,, but while the Chief Health. Officer ha» for years been pointing' out the danger he has never suggested a practical remedy. It is probably useleaa to simply request the banks to destroy dirty notes teeming with microbes of many varieties. Those-institutions will be content to'issue receive them so long as they willilioki together. If the public made a>deadi set against them, and' insisted: upon l .gold instead of noteSvthen>doubtles3-something would be done;, but the puMic is not likely to make such a "set!''"—it is as a rule only too glad> to- handle the papei, however soiled, though if a letter or ordinary document were presented to any person in a similar filthy atate, he would prefer to'take-iit on the tips of a tongsj.and certainly would not carry it about in his pocket. We notice, by a late telegram,, since writing the above, thafethe Tairanaki and Auckland. Chambers' off Commerce have decided, to take aebiwai on the question of:' banknote* reform, and will endeavour to enlist the sympathies of the vaiiioua municipalities and kindred, bodies in the matter. If a general protest from these institutions is made, probably Parliament may find a wasy of in ducing the banks te» destroy dirty notes and issue in future only clean paper money.