TOPICS OF THE DAY.

Waikato Times, Volume 118, Issue 19658, 19 August 1935, Page 6

TOPICS OF THE DAY.

Health Stamp Campaign As lias been customary in recent years the Government Avill ivmin issue special stamps in connection Avith the health campaign. The stamps are being printed, and it is hoped to have them on sale | )V th e end of next month. The duration of the campaign has not been decided, hut it usually ends in February. The method will he on the same lines as adopted in former years. The stamps Avill lie of one denomination (twopence). One penny-will be for the usual postage and one for the provision of health camps for Aveakly and under-nourished children. The success that has been achieved in the past is the best recommendation that can bo put forward for public support, for this movement. The receipts from the stamps have shown a consistent increase, the results being: 1931-32, £534 Is; 1932-33, £-10!) 7s sd; 1933-34, £(515 13s (id; 1934-35, £Bl4 18s 2d. It i s hoped Dus year to greatly increase the amount, and it is proposed to institute an active selling movement in which (lie cooperation of local committees Avill he enlisted. Dir L. O. Hooker, of llaAvera has offered his services as organiser in an honoimiry capacity. Public support is assured for such a Avorthy cause.

Banking Dividends No change lias been made from last year in (lie half-yearly bankin'' dividends. The Avhole series of announcements was made during the course of tlu: week. Lloyds Bank is paying (i per cent, for the half-year. Barclays’ interim dividend is 7 per cent., and the National Provincial's 7) per cent. The Midland Bank is paying S per cent, for the half-year, the Westminster Bank 9 per cent. Martins Bank, the Liverpool concern, is maintaining 7 per cent., iind Williams Deacon’s, the (Manchester Bank, again pays O.j percent. There is every reason, therefore, for believing that these rotes will again he seen in the limit dividends. Recovery in the hanking world lags behind the general recovery throughout the country, as it obviously must do. Since twelve months ago. taking the May figures of the London clearing banks, advances "have increased nv a tittle over £15,500,000. Deposits in the same period, however, have risen l>v more than £102,000,000, and to the extent of £78.000,000 have had to go further to' swell investment holdings.

On the other hand, business recovery lias assisted liquidity of debts due to the hanks on advances account, enabling the writing hack to profits of provisions for had and doubtful debts made in the dentils of the slump. —London Observe*.