SIX-MILLION LOAN.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVIII, Issue 18573, 27 November 1920, Page 8

SIX-MILLION LOAN.

“ BETTER THAN EXPECTED.” MU MASSEY COMPLAINS OF t CRITICISM. [pEErauss Association.] WELLINGTON, November 26. “ I have received the latest returns in regard to the six million loan this morning,” the Prime Minister to-day informed a Chamber of Commerce deputation, “ and they are Very much better than I expected.” {Hear, hear.) Mr Massey added that he had become rather discouraged during the last few days from accounts that had come in and the remarks of one or two newspapers, which had taken up an attitude which was the reverse of patriotic. These were not Wellington papers, and he would have more to say uj»n the subject later, but if ever an attempt had been made to kill or prevent the loan from being successful it had been made by one or two papers. A member - of the deputation: It is very unfair. Mr Massey: Grossly unfair and unpatriotic. - Hon E. P. Lee: It is a soldiers’ loan, 1 too. " Mr Massey: Yes. It was practically the last of the loans for this purpose, and money the countrv must nave to keep faith with the soldiers. It was going to keep faith with them, and no hardship would be dctie to any who were contributing to the loan. COMPULSION LOOMING. [From Otjr Correspondent.] WELLINGTON, November 26. It was evident from a conversation with the Prime Minister to-day on the subject of the Soldiers’ Settlement Loan, ihat the Government expects to have to exercise compulsion eventually, though it hopes that itß definite decision to put this power into force will cause large taxpayers to recognise their obligations in time, thus avoiding a forced loan at three per cent. “We have settled a large number of soldiers,” remarked Mr Massey, ‘‘ and we must keep faith with the remainder and with tho country.”