THE HOLOCAUST
A BANKING TRAGEDY
There were two of them, and they stood alone within the precincts of the vaulted chamber where millions had gone before, never to return, writes P.D.8., in the "New Zealand Banker." These were to go the same cruel way, too, their mission in life unfulfilled. The thick massivo walls, the cold damp floor, and the sombre unsympathetic roof confined within their narrow enclosure the secrets of tho drama that was about to be enacted. To_ cry aloud would be futile, for the poor ineffectual voices would be quickly stifled by the din. of their own reverberating echoes. Yet the edict must be obeyed, and these two, of all others, were fated to be the principal actors in this heartrending scene All was now ready for the final phase of the tragedy. The padlocks were carefully examined, and the keys tested. Yet they had been warned. More than six months previously the ominous words had been written on the wall; but they had done nothing, and grimly and silently awaited the execution of the decree. .. . Nothing could now be heard save the muffled roar of the furnaco and tho frantic beating of their own hearts. Slowly, and with bated breath, they drew nearer and nearer, and removing tho fed-hot iron grille, peered down upon tho hungry flames, whose loathsome tongues, eager for their victims, leaped higher and higher, stifling their breath and scorching their eyebrows. "Stop! Stop!" cried one, "before it is too late! Is there no alternative?" "No," came the reply in deep sepulchral tones. "There is no alternative. It is my solemn duty to carry out the decree. Now lend a' hand quickly.'' With that they grabbed the last bundles of beautiful, crackling, crinkly fivers and tenners, which, prior to the passing of the Reserve- Bank Act would have been destined to give joy to the poor and power to the rich, and tossing them into the merciless flames, clapped on the padlocks and sank down into their chairs with a heavy sigh. They had made history. The last notes issued by the trading banks had been burnt to ashes!
THE HOLOCAUST
Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 57, 5 September 1934, Page 11
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