THE WAR LOAN.

Thames Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 16179, 21 August 1916, Page 4

THE WAR LOAN.

Great interest continues to be manifested in the War Loan, and numerous applications for certificates have, been received locally. The public 1 meeting to be held this evening in the Central Hall will no doubt further stimulate intei eat in .this" important matter. The post office was opened on Saturday evening for the convenience , of •applicants, and, though this is the last day for receiving applications-^-that is so far as is officially known at present—they will be accepted at to-night's, meet* ing. It should scarcely be necessary to press home the duty of everyone to subscribe, be it much or little. \ day or two ago we were confronted with the argument: ' 'People are not likely to invest at i| per cent when they can get 6 or 7 per cent for their j money on good security." Looking at the question superficially, and divesting it of any aspect of patriotism, i this argument may appeal to be conclusive. But what makes it possible, to obtain pueh high interest, and what renders the security so uiv doubted! The answer is the proteci tion afforded by the British Meet.! If the great fleet under Admiral Jelj liebe were to permit even a portion of the German fleet to capture New Zea-v land, what would be the value of the investments now regarded with so much favour? Or where would we stand if Britain went down in the conflict? Our protection, our very existence, depends upon winning the war, and for this purpose money is imperatively needed. Silver bullets are required as well as leaden ones, • and the person who argues that our boys at the front should remain in want of food, clothing, munitions, and other vital necessities, simply because better interest may o be obtained for the money that should go to provide them, must be mentally deficient, besides being entirely lack^ ing, in patriotic impulses. New Zealand's war expenditure already totals over twelve millions, and is going on !at the rate of £800,000 per month. I The urgent need therefore for this [loan of eight millions is apparent, j and the response should be as hearty as the. requirements are imperative. i.ln, other centres subscriptions are rolling its merjily. In addition to largo investments already mentioned, the following may be noted as incentives to others to do likewise. Kaiapoi Woollen Company £10,000, Standard Insurance .£20,000, Paliherston North Patriotic Society £10,000, Oamaru Hospital* Trustees £1000, p'*blic meet-, ing at Napier £600, Fielding Patriotic Society £5000, and many others. These investments, have not merely been influenced by the rate 1 of interest, but chiefly by the desire to keep our flag aloft. This is-the only means by which securities will be unimpaired, and our Interest earning enterprises remain unaffected.