WAR LOAN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12284, 5 April 1918, Page 3

WAR LOAN.

MONEY MUST BE FOUND. Finance Minister's Statement, [Per Press Association.] DUNEDIN, April 4. In fin interview regarding tlio War Loan, Sir Joseph Ward (Minister of Finance) emphasised the imperative needs for war purposes of the whole of the money that the public are being asked to provide. The Minister added: “ Ono leaturo about war expenditure, unliko tho ordinary expenditure of a. country, is that so long as the war goes on wo cannot wait. War expenditure is quickly incurred, and so long as the war goes on, with whatever speed it may be, it is necessary to provide means, and there must bo no delay ol any kind. For instance, there is no such thing possible under war expenditure as making provision for it out of unauthorised expenditure. “ One recognises that to many people public finance is such a hard matter-of-tact subject that they may give it only passing attention. That occurs, no doubt, in the enso of people who have some means and who may not bo impressed with tbo vital importance for the carrying on of the war of full financial requirements being available, so that the country may meet daily and weekly war conditions. For that reason one finds it necessary from time, to time to call special attention to the matter. Naturally one does not want to bother people who are engaged in their normal occupations, but the providing of money is just as important, and in some respects more important, than the providing of men, though the sacrifice made by the men is incomparably greater, and it cannot be overestimated, than any inconvenience experienced by those who have to provide the money to enable our men to fight the battle of freedom and civilisation. During the raising of the last loans 1 did not give out the amounts subscribed from time to time. 1 do not think it is a good thing to do, except in a general- way. Up to the present, even with the Easter holidays breaking in, there is a reasonable response being made, but it is during the last week of the loan that the hulk of the money usually comes in. I am hopeful that the experience of the past will be repeated upon tins occasion and that wo mav bo able to avoid taking the drastic course of putting compulsion into operation, though if it should be necessary it must be done.’'