THE LIBERTY LOAN

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 172, 10 April 1918, Page 5

THE LIBERTY LOAN

"ROSIE" TO THE RESCUE STREET SALE OF WAR LOAN CERTIFICATES The commercial travellers of Wellington are accounted one of the most loyal and at the same time most practically patriotic communities in the Dominion. They have demonstrated this on several occasions with excellent results, and yesterday they entered upon a- campaign which bus ton its object the raising of money for tho new Liberty War Loan, which now demands the earnest attention of every loyal citizen of New Zealand. The travellers are used to selling all kinds of good goods, but the .wares they vended in the shape of War Loan certificates yesterday were giltedged securities which the Government (i.e., tho entire country) is pledged toredeem. In order to catch the public eye en route to the public's pocket, the travellers secured the services of "Eosie," the only live "tank" in these parts, and it was from this camouflaged rostrum that speakers held forth at various points of yantago from 2 p.m. yesterday, appealing, beseeching, cajoling, persuading, oommanding and demanding the public to commence a course of patriotic thrift by investing their spare money in War Loan certificates, either of five or ten-year currency. For this occasion "Rosie" was provided with a special conning-tower, emblazoned with bull's-eye devices which should help to 'bring homo to every observer his or her sense of responsibility in connection with the loan. One angle of the tower shouted: "A Plain Question! Men and women—stop and think how much you can put into the Liberty War Loan!" Another illustrated appeal depicted tho meeting of a civilian with a soldier, with the former saying: "Well, are we going to win this war?" To that Tommy replies: "Just now, mate, that depends on you as much as it does on me!"

"Rosio" slowly forged her way along Lambton Quay, but instead of mooring at the south end of Featherston Street, she moved along to Bowen Street, where Mr. W. F. Cuthbertson, president of the Commercial Travellers' Association, announced that Sir Joseph Ward (Finance Minister) would address the gathering. Row the soldiers Subscribed. Sir Joseph Ward prefaced his remarks by paying a tribute to the good work and valued assistance accorded him by the members of the Commercial Travellers' Association during the raising of the' last loan. They went into the business whole-heartedly, as : they did everything undertaken by them. Money was just as urgently needed now as before, and he urged everyone to give, even if it meant inconvenienco to themselves. Without money the soldiers fighting at the front could not be supported. Without money the soldiere who were yet to go forward could not bo efficiently trained. The boys at the front were not only ready and willing to sacrifice their lives in the great cause of civilisation and freedom, bnt were giving their money as well. He had recently received a letter from Captain T. E. Y. Seddon, M.P., indicating what tho soldiers were doing in the latter direction. Sir Joseph Ward read the letter which ran as under:— War Bonds: You will have learnt that the mon at the front are subscribing money for your loan. A. competition was arranged and the different units went at it with a will, the No. 2 Company, N.Z. A.S.C., averaging £19 12s. Bd. per head, being the winners, the second prize going to C Company, N.Z. Pioneers, and the third prize to D Company, N.Z. Pioneers. The total amount subscribed was £12,774 2s. This will be supplemented by money to be raised by the coupon system. The moneys will bo sent to the New Zealand loan. The fact that the men at the front are so liberally subscrib- I ing and helping in the war, not only with their efforts in the lino, but also by subscribing to your loan, ought to put heart into tho people of New Zealand and put heart into those at home who may feel diffident about lending their gold. The idea, said Sir Joseph Ward, was General Russell's. (Cheers.) He finally made a stirring appeal for all sections and claeses of the community to subscribe to the loan. Civing, Not Taking. Mr. F. W. Manton added a few remarks to what Sir Joseph Ward had said. He told the crowd that they were not asking for them to give anything ; they wero receiving something, 4} per cent, on the host security that could be offered in the country, and at the same time they would bo helping to win tho war. Replying to an interjection Mr. Manton said that someone had said: "What's the good of that to' me?" The man who could say such a thing at a time like the present was one who had lost all senso of responsibility and self-respect. He was tho type of man who would probably say that ho had no country to fight for—yet this New Zealand was one of the best little countries in the world, and was one of tho few places which had not felt the sting of war. There were no aeroplanes or bombs to cause death or disaster here. Their forefathers had battled hard to_ make the country what it was, and it was .the duty of them all to do their bit to keep it as it was. At tho present juncture they could do nothing better than buy War Loan certificates. After tho speeches the opening of Parliament drew the crowd away from "Rosie," but during the afternoon the tank trundled round the town in the wet, and her entourage (which included a number of energetic lady canvassers) sold a good many certificates. The succoss achieved was largely due to the efforts of the lady friends of the Association, but as the work, is arduous further assistance from lady friends is solicited. It was - regrettable that the weather was not at all encouraging, but the sun- has not yet gone out of business, and the public will "loosen up" when they once more feel the glow. War certificates will bo issued for sale from tho Commercial Travellers' Club from 11 a.m. to-day, and it is hoped there will bo a hip mitster of workers of both sexes. The "tank" will bo in evidence in the City from 12 noon at various places as advertised. Tho travellers are to be assisted today and on Saturday by the Trcntharo Brass Band.