THE LIBERTY LOAN

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9755, 3 September 1917, Page 6

THE LIBERTY LOAN

AN APPEAL BY THE RIGHT HON. W. F. MASSEY, PRIME -MINISTER. In connection with tho War Loan the Prime Minister has addressed tho following appeal to the people of New Zealand: Follow-Citizens, — I wisli to endorse most warmly the several appeals which tho Minister for Finance has made to you on behalf of the Liberty War Loan. The three prime necessities of the war are men, munitions, and moriey. We have found the first in the 75,000 soldiers who cheerfully offered themselves for service at tho front, and in the thousands of others who are loyally responding to the call of duty. It is now our business and duty to see that the men who are fighting for us are adequately provided tor; tnat the necessary food supplies, clothing, equipment, and munitions arc forthcoming on their behalf. That ail means money, moro mohey, and still more money; tho war cannot go on without it, and the money required must be raised xrom amongst ourselves. To help the Motherland and our Allies most effectually, we must be self-reliant, resourceful, and independent. Britain has already raised nearly five thousand millions sterling for tho purposes of tho war, and rightthinking citizens agree that it would not only bo improper, but extremely unfair on our part, were we to look to her for the money we qnn, and should, obtain from our own citizens.' Our duty in this matter is clear, We must make it onr business to provide

the necessary sinews of war for the requirements of the men we have sent, and are sending, to the front, so that the success of tiieir operations may be in no wise impaired by any lack of effort on our part. Such failure on our part would undo much of the work our gallant troops have already accomplished. We cannot, must not, and will not fail them. Money is now our first, most vital, and all-pressing consideration. Without it the war canhot go on. The twenty-four millions required to cover our war expenditure during tho next twelve months must be forthcoming. Granted that the_ task is one of great magnitude, it is no greater than that faced by our kinsmen in Great Britain last year, when they subscribed the magnificent total of one thousand millions sterling tor their Victory War Loan. On the per capita basis onr loan is about equal to that effort. We should be able to better it. It seemed a great thing when wo asked our people for eight millions last year. But wo get it with three millions to spare. Now that wo arc called upon to make this greater effort, I am confident that the response will be equally effectual, if our citizens individually recognise ■ their responsibility in the matter. 1 have faith enough to believe that the twelve millions we are asking for in this loan will he subscribed. and that the balance will be forthcoming when required. But, to ensure success, there must be no holding back. On tho part of every citizen there must be the clear recognition of liis paramount duty in the present crisis. .Everyone must contribute out of his or her means, bo they small or great. And the terms on which tho loan is offered are such that no hardship is involved, oven if the investor has to borrow the money to make good his holding. If ever there was a case in which men were justified in pledging their personal credit to help on a good cause/ it’ is found in this Liberty War Loan, "What if contributing to the War Loan does involve some selLdcnial or sacrifice on the part of the citizen? Can any sacrifice tho stay-at-homes make oven begin' to compare with the sub-

lime heroism and self-sacrifice of those of our fellow-citizens who have gone forth to the war on our behalf, esteeming not their lives dear unto themselves, if. happily, they may preserve for us who remain security and peace, freedom of conscience, and that mdependSnco of speech and thought which we liavo enjoved under the British Flag? Wo think sadly, yet proudly, of the gallant lads, dear to us as sons and brothers, and of those of matuver rears—husbands and fathers—who. have made the supreme sacrifice in defence of our Empire and country, so that in years to come we may live in peace, freed from the greatest world menace ever known in the annals of civilisation. Our hearts -are moved with love and compassion for those who have suffered under the cruel privations of the war, and who are maimed and crippled to-day because they fought our battles. But a stern and bounden duty confronts ns’. Wo know that unless the militarist spirit of Prussia is crushed and extinguished by defeat, overwhelming and conclusive in its effect. Germany will but close this war to prepare for the next. The white crosses which mark the last earthly resting-places of the heroes who fell at Gallipoli and in Egypt, at Flers and Massines, and on other of the battle, fields of Europe, appeal to us mutely, but none tho less eloquently, to see that tho lives thus sacrificed shall not have been spent in vain. It is our duty, not only to the living, but to the dead, to carry on the war. Wo must continue tho struggle in the interests of civilisation and humanity. If wo all bear a band in the business, we shall once again demonstrate to the world the earnestness with which Xow Zealanders stand unitedly together in battling for King, Countin’, and Empire. ,W. F. -MASSEY, 'Prime Minister.