PLANS WELL ADVANCED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 88, Issue 203, 25 August 1944, Page 4

PLANS WELL ADVANCED

VICTORY LOAN CAMPAIGN IN WANGANUI

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEET’S. Plans lor Wanganui's share in ths Victory Loan campaign were advanced a further stage when the Wanganui City Victory War Loan Executive Committee met in the Citv Council Chambers last mgl-t. Mr. Vi. S. N. Rennie presided, and the district organiser, Mr. J. Gillick, explained various phases of the campaign and the work required of sub-committees. With a properly organised effort, he said, there was no reason why Wanganui city and suburbs should not reach its quota of £612,500. “I appreciate the honour of being elected chairman of the executive and feel sure that we shall work as a team toward achieving the citv’s objective," said Mr. Rennie. He’ added that the fullest possible assistance would be given to the district chairman, Mr. P. Higginbottom. The present news from Europe may tend toward complacency, but when soliciting contributions toward the loan members of the committee must indicate that much had yet to be accomplished before final victory. Mr. Rennie referred to the sacrifice's made oy some families in the Wanganui district who had lost sons overseas. “Any effort we make here.” he said, ‘is small compared with these sacrifices.”

Reviewing the work so far accomplished in the district, Mr. Higginbottom said the outlook was very promising.

“During the past two weeks we have not allowed the grass to grow under our feet,” Mr. Gillick said. “We are in a more favourable position than when the loan campaign was launched last year, in that we have had close on a month in which to organise. Detailing various aspects of the campaign, Mr Gillick emphasised that it would be necessary to arrange a panel of speakers, so that every firm with five or more employees would be appealed to directly. In addition, many semi-public bodies should be approached with a view to making investments in short-dated securities.

Circulars would be sent to 1000 business undertakings in Wanganui, appealing not only for the support of employers, by investing in the loan, but. asking them also to organise the staffs under their control. As a prelude to the campaign. however, thousands of circular letters would be sent out under the signatures of the Prime Minister (Mr. Fraser) and the Leader of the Opposition (Mr. Holland'. These circulars would explain the purposes of the loan and would pave the way for the appeal. “Last year we reached the stage, with only four or five days to go. when the pressure was terrific and the committee was unable to cope with the demands made on it for assistance in contacting staffs at a time when enthusiasm was at its highest.” Mr. Gillick added. “We hope that, this time the work will be spread over the full five weeks of the loan.” Mr. Gillick explained that from April 1. 1944. to March 31. 1945, a 1! National Savings contributions would, form part of the Victory Loan. Employees could thus make substantial contributions to the loan by increasing the amounts at present"being invested in war savings. On this basis, an addition of 5s a week, over a period of 40 weeks, would mean a contribution of £lO. Tt’ip panel of speakers would be of great assistance on explaining this aspect of the loan. Labour organisations in Wanganui had also been working consistently well toward the success nf the campaign and had accomplished much, since their preliminary meeting. Mr. J. McMillan (Trades Council' said a committee had been formed and a tentative list showed that there were about 40 works and factories in the city where employees could be approached with a view to support’ng the loan. He suggested, however, that if there were three places to be addressed in one day there ho throe panels of speakers. A limit of five minutes for each address, with ample time for ouestions. was also proposed.

Mr. McMillan also announced that the secretary of the New Zealand Federation of Labour, Mr. F. Cornwell. had advised that lhe National Executive had derided to invest £2OOO in the loan and had called on affiliations to do lheir utmost to secure the success of the campaign. It was derided that the amount to he aimed at hv the trade* union mo -ement. in New Zealand should not be less lhan £10.000,000.

Reports on the work of the various sub-committees were given by the

chairmen or conveners. The committee will meet at 4.30 p.m. each