The New Zealand Times. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 1917. THE LOAN

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9756, 4 September 1917, Page 6

The New Zealand Times. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 1917. THE LOAN

“All’s well that ends well.” When the late Mr Ballanco started the New Zealand Consols he dreamt many things. But he never dreamed anything like this response of nearly sixteen millions, to a demand for twelve, which also may he put down as tar outside' the category of the bright dream of that great believer in the stoutness of this wonderful little country. After him there came another believer in this land, who called it “God’s Own Country.” and did his best to make good that great title of his bestowal. He, also, alas lis no longer with us. But if it were otherwise, to our great joy, he would cheerfully admit that oven in his wildest dreams ho had never reached the level that we are actually on to-day. It is but eleven short years since we laid him to rest on the picturesque hill of wide vision, typical of his great understanding, and the million people who are but a fraction of the nation that will one day dominate the Pacific from these Fortunate Isles of the sea have thrown sixteen millions into the Treasury at the call of the Empire, fighting a great Battle of Righteousness. Barely twelve months ago this people had given twelve millions to the same cause, cheerfully, proudly, willingly. It would be absurd to say that they put up this money without a murmur. Where the response is cheerful, proud, and willing, there, can be no murmuring. The signal went, up aloft under the Flag that has won glory and covered great deeds in every comer of the world, among all races of men. And on that day every man did do his duty. Again the e;gnal flew, with a limit of hut three weeks for a call of twelve millions. i’he time was scant. But it was ample for more than the money named. For when the time was up this astonishing people covered the demand for the twelve millions with sixteen, raising its contribution within a year to twenty-eight millions. Truly a sterling response from a sterling people. Details are incomplete, necessarily. They can wait. We want them not to-day. They would blur our vision, which is clear for the main fact. That impresses the heart, carries away the imagination, forecasts the greatness to which this nation is destined, proving its industry, its self-reliance, and, above all, its righteousness.