29 APRIL 1938, Page 6

With regard to my note about the habit prevalent in

the West Indies of reckoning all prices in dollars and cents instead of the official sterling currency, Major-General Lethbridge Alexander, who has just come back from St. Vincent, writes to correct my suggestion that this is in defer- ence to American tourists. The dollar, he observes, is the West Indian, not the United States dollar—but both have the same value, 4s. 2d. It seems an odd practice, all the same, for the actual coins that pass are shillings and pence, so that every transaction must form the subject of a lightning calculation. Even if Americans are not responsible for the habit they no doubt find it convenient. * * * *