War Loan Lagging

Ellesmere Guardian, Volume 66, Issue 42, 1 June 1945, Page 4

War Loan Lagging

MUCH BETTER RESPONSE NEEDED

DUTY WHICH CANNOT BE AVOIDED

"Though fifteen fewer millions have to be raised for this year's victory loan, the work of. the district war loan' committees seems to be just as hard, and it has to be confessed, in this third week, that the loan is lagging," states the National War Loan Council. "There is no lessening of enthusiasm among ' campaign workers, no adverse current of public opinion. Everybody has the best of feelings, but the great majority are slow to act. The proof is that the number of investors in scrip, compared with the total at the corresponding point of the £40,000,000 loan campaign, is less to the extent of two thousand.

"Six war loans have been all over-subscribed and all the evidence in the way of bank credits, mortgages repaid, wages raised, and increased prices of farm products proves that New Zealanders could easily lend another £25,000,000 from their incomes to help the financing of total victory. Their high standard of living would not be reduced.

"It is total war on all fronts. Men are still being conscripted for the fighting services and the majority of those who remain at home, male or female, are subject to direction so that all phases of war effort shall be maintained, but it is a voluntary appeal when it comes to loans, because patriotism should be powerful enough without enforcement by regulations. So a proportion of the community is either slow in making up its mind, or is willing to leave the rest of the victory-winning process to the more patriotic section. New Zealand's war record—a brilliant one in every respect — should not be

dimmed by any slackening at this stage. No matter what happens to the victory loan, the war will go on and the fighting men will have all they need, because money will be fdund and found this year. No citizen can shirk this duty in total war. The National War Loan Council hopes that the influence of personal appeals by members of the district war loan committees is about to be shown in a greatly accelerated rate of daily subscriptions. There will have to be a minimum of £650,000 for every remaining day of this bloodless battle of the home front if our part is to be creditably played."

Investments made in surrounding postal areas up to yesterday were: Dunsandel £3069 (target £76?,4j, Springs £2464 (£8114), Tai Taou £2110 (£5083).