PREMIUM BONDS.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 15970, 12 November 1919, Page 5

PREMIUM BONDS.

ISSUE IMMINENT.

APPROVAL IN BRITAIN.

LONDON, October 31. London brokers believe that a great issue of. premium bonds is imminent, and that the, Government is only awaiting a Parliamentary mandate. the city editor of the Times states that the rise in gilt-edged securities reflects the market’s belief that immediate re-borrowing at cheaper rates is necessary in order to meet the great deficit.

It is unquestionable that city men generally axe favourable to premium l>onds, issuable at relatively low interest, which are regarded as certain to attract a large circle of new investors. The Government has no need to hesitate, as the Select Committee of 1918 vieldcd evidence almost entirely favourable to the premium bonds scheme. i The Daily Mail, in a leading article, A says that the old argument that such ■ bonds would stimulate gambling, is sheer nonsense. They would really-in-culcate thrift, and provide an outlet for the surplus cash of all classes. They would check wasteful expenditure in luxuries and turf betting. Members of the House of Commons jre grcatlv interested in the scheme, »nd °an extensively signed memorial the Government to institute a prize -bouds scheme immediately.