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Hokitika Guardian, 5 November 1924, Page 2

Advick has Icon received by tbe Government Publicity Office tliat tbe literature supplied to the Empire Exhibition lias been most popular. Thousands of folders and booklets dealing with tbe attractions of New Zealand from a settlement and tourist standpoint were distributed to interested inquirers’, and at latest advices, states tbe Hon. G. J .Anderson (Minister in Charge), the demand for this literature continued unabated. Satisfaction has also been expressed, by the traffic manager of the Canadian Pacific Railways as to tbe quality of consignments of publicity literature forwarded for the use of offices and hotels, tbe enlarged photographs of New Zealand scenery being especially admired. The English Press continues to give very wide publicity to the attractions of the Dominion, no fewer than 700 clippings being received during the past month, while 20 illustrated, papers devoted considerable space to photographs and articles dealing with various phases of life and sport in New Zenland. At tlio Palermo Show held at Buenos Ayres recently, enlarged photographs of New Zealand scenery and industries supplied

l>y the Publicity Office attracted a considerable amount of interest. During the past month over 500 photographic enlargements and ordinary prints were despatched overseas to various agencies; while booklets and folders sent to similar organisations, and in answer to a great number of inquiiics from various parts of the world, numbered 3000. The Government photographers obtained many new pictures from various parts of the Dominion, over GOOO.t of positive cinema film being now ready for dispatch to Kngland together with 3000 whole-plate veiws of the main cities and scenic attractions.

Tiif. Prime Minister made an interesting statement in the House last week in the form of a return concerning the interest payments and methods of funding the war debt. The amount of interest paid up to March 31, 192-1, on the war debt was £22,833,050. The war debt at that date was £77,-131,18-1. of which £25,921,90-1, being balance of C2G,310,2-15, is funded on an annuity basis at 0 per cent on the original debt calculated to pay off the principal and interest in 301 years from date of agreement, viz., September 0, 1922. The amount of interest paid to March 31. 192-1, on this portion of the debt was £1,955,282, and the amount remaining to be paid to date of maturity, is £29.389,008, making a total of £31,311,890. Ou the remaining portion of the war debt, viz., £51,509,280, the amount of interest charge at March 31, 192-1, was £2.37-1,193, and, on the present basis of sinking fund, the total principal will be repaid in thirty-three years. The sinking fund, if accumulated at the present rate of interest for a further thirty-three years, will espial the total amount of war debt then outstanding. On the assumption that the interest rates on the loans are unaltered, the total iuerost remaining to he paid on the war loan will amount to £107,717,877. These figures are estimates, and are subject to debt reductions, conversions and alterations of interest on loans issued for redemption purposes, which may materially affect the ultimate amount.