WAR WEAPONS WEEK

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24613, 22 May 1941, Page 8

WAR WEAPONS WEEK

MAGNIFICENT RESPONSE CHEQUES FOR MILLIONS RUGBY, May 19 ■ London’s war weapons week has opened so successfully that it is likely that the objective of £100,000,000 will be trebled. The atmosphere of the bomb-scarred capital resembles a country fair with flags, posters and banners everywhere. Girls are selling kisses for sixpence and businessmen are handing in cheques for millions. The Lord Mayor was opening the city’s saving centre at Mansion House when the secretary of an insurance company stepped out of the crowd and handed up a cheque for £ 5,000,000, Two companies subscribed £3,000,000 each and 20 companies contributed a total of £31,000,000. Crowds jammed the selling counters to buy stamps, certificates and bonds Sixty-two local committees manned by 1000 voluntary workers gathered in contributions throughout greater London. Subscriptions poured in through 1800 post offices, 1800 branch banks, and 750 selling centres. Collectors on the stock exchange took £200,000 from brokers.

Southgate’s objective is £250,000. but £300,000 was gathered in by the middle of the afternoon. Tottenham has already doubled its objective of £250,000.