LIBERTY LOAN

Grey River Argus, 16 July 1943, Page 5

LIBERTY LOAN

FINAL FIGURES

Prime Minister’s

Congratulations [Per Press Association] WELLINGTON, July 15. The Prime Minister Mr. Fraser, made a final statement to-night on the results of the Third Liberty Loan. He conveyed to the people the Government’s warm thanks and congratulations on over-subscribing the loan by £4,276,740, which brought the total to £39,276,40. It was truly a peoples’ loan Still more significant of the peoples’ backing of their country’s war finance was the number of subscribers, the total of 431,839 comparaing remarkably with the previous highest record of 30,000 subscribers to a NewZealand war loan. Liberty loan stock was brought by 63,501 investors to the amount of £29,826,600. Bonds were brought by 193,338 for £2,134,277; and 175,000 national savings depositors lent £7,315,863, The amounts raised in the eighteen chief postal districts were detailed, together with the percentage of the loan objective which they reached were:— Nelson: £670,023—122 per cent; Blenheim: £324,052—120; Wellington: £5,130,802 —118; Invercargill: £1,489,855—114; Dunedin: £2,791,430—112; Auckland: £7,210,736— 107; Gisborne: £509,435—101; New Plymouth: £1,082,204—'98; Napier:' £1,152,939—96; Wanganui: £905,910— 92; Timaru: £715,989 —81; Palmerston North: £1,246,090—86; Christchurch: £3,423,687 —83; Oamaru: £249,446 —82; Greymduth: £364,602 —• 79; Westport: £100,923 —70; Hamilton: £1,346,088—64; Thames: £543,328—63; National institutions: £lO.011,000. Mr. Fraser declared that these figures were impressive, but failed, to adequately convey the wonderful amount of personal effort willingly exerted to achieve these results. He detailed the nature of the national organisation, the eighteen district loan committees, with whom were associated some 200 sub-committees, all.of whose members made contacts personally with as many people as possible to persuade them to subscribe. There was also a long list of national organisations which put their enthusiasm into the campaign. All the women’s organisations did wonderful work, and the women in the services helped in innumerable ways. It was to our women that the credit was almost entirely due for the sales of bonds. Thanks were also due to the newspapers for willing and generous work, and to the armed services who assisted with attractive displays. Seven districts qualified for the Liberty Flag by passing their objectives in the following order —Nelson, Wellington, Blenheim, Invercargill, Dunedin, Auckland, and Gisborne. , Mr. Fraser pointed out that highly creditable results in achievin'-' and passing their quota were shown bv many centres whose figures were submerged in the district total. No> district slackened its efforts after passing the objective and this was being recognised by the National War Loan Committee in awarding a special distinction, the Frevberg Flag to the district which obtained the greatest percentage over its objective. Nelson not only reached the quota first, but also won the Freyberg. Flag. The Prime Minister spoke of the improving war situation The tide had turned, he said, thanks to the efficiency and valour of the Allied armies, among which the New . Zealand Division took such a prominent and distinguished part. “These gallant men,” he added “are entitled to ask us what we have 1 been doing in these years? Our record, we can say confidently, will bear their scrutiny. On the farm front, on the industry front, and in the maintenance and expansion of the armed services, New Zealanders have risen to all demands. You were asked to provide an unprecedented sum to maintain the fight on an expanded scale You have responded by subscribing £4,276,740 more than the amount vou were asked to subscribe. That is a fine achievement, and proves that New Zealand is more conscious than ever before of the danger still threatening.”