NATIONAL SAVINGS ATTITUDE OF THE

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23964, 3 June 1943, Page 3

NATIONAL SAVINGS ATTITUDE OF THE

PEOPLE «GROWING SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY ” WELLINGTON. May 31. “I am convinced that if any section of the New Zealand public has been called apathetic towards our war effort, then that section is steadily decreasin ■ and the people as a whole are showing a growing sense of responsibility,” said Mr T. N. Smallwood, chairman of the New Zealand National War Savings Committee, to-day. ‘‘The progressive totals of national savings throughout the Dominion during the last two and a half years have provided a useful and fairly reliable indication of the war consciousness of the people,” continued Mr Smallwood, “and the figures show that since the inception of the national war savings scheme, the total amount invested in the Dominion up to,the end of April this year stood at £10,647,000. Of this total £4,764,000 was in national savings bonds, and £5,883,000 in national savings accounts, and even more spectacular, perhaps, is the increase in savings bank deposits.” Mr Smallwood added that more than £250,000 is invested monthly in national savings. In the recent campaign, "Plan for Post-War Living,” a marked increase was noted in investments, especially in national savings accounts, and it was anticipated, said Mr* Smallwood, that during the forthcoming war loan campaign, when national savings would be the means of investment for the small saver, a further heavy increase would be shown. He mentioned the interest shown in national savings by troops serving overseas, and stated that at the request of the men themselves provision had been made to allow soldiers stationed in the Middle East and in England to remit funds to New Zealand for investment in national, war savings. ~