WAR LOAN

Evening Post, Volume XCII, Issue 41, 17 August 1916, Page 8

WAR LOAN

PROSPECTS SATISFACTORY

Everything points to the "fact that the war loan of £8,000,000 is going to be a great success, and the Minister of Finance (Sir Joseph Ward) and those associated with him in the raising of that large amount are-taking every .step possible to enable the small investor particularly to "put his little bit towards it." The Post Office authorities report a steady daily increase in the number of certificates issued. Arrangements are being made by the office for sending out » pamphlet, by letter-carrier, to every person, who is in reach of a letter-carrier, a. circular regarding the loan and the opportunity that it affords to every person who desires to help on the war, of investing even the smallest saving in this patriotic objective. People who Jive in outlying districts, which are not in close. contact with postal offices, can get all the information they require from the nearest postmaster.

The suggestion was made by a Post correspondent yesterday that there might be a difficulty in the case of contributors who received certificates and were not sure that they could ensure the safe keeping of them for the five-year period. 'It will be welcome news to these that arrangements are being made by the Post Office authorities to accept receipt of such certificates, and to hold them for the period of their duration, when they can be picked up on receipt of identification. This arrangement cannot be made all at once. It will probably take a fortnight to^ ; bring the scheme into practical operation.

Under the Savings Bank regulations a father or mother can open an account on behalf of a child under seven years of age. Many parents who have opened such accounts on behalf of their children (at 3J per cent.) have expressed a desire to transfer the amount to the War Fund. The Minister of Finance has now agreed that in such cases the deposit can be transferred to the war loan, and a war loan certificate issued. This means that the child's deposit will bring in 4>j percent, instead of 3g, and that even the humble five pound note will go towards winning the war.

Full arrangements have been made hy the Minister for advertising the loan, by way of public meetings, picture theatres, and so on, and it is confidently anticipated that if everybody who has'a scrap of "Empire"in his composition put in what he can afford, the success of. the loan will he absolutely assured.