THE SAVINGS BANK ACCOUNT

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 28 August 1914, Page 4

THE SAVINGS BANK ACCOUNT

A MAORI IN DOUBT

OUR representative met an educated Maori the other day in Helensville, and during a conversation on the |war the matter of his savings in the Bank cropped up. He thought it wise to draw the money out. Like the heathen Chinee, the|Maori is also peculiar, and sometimes it takes a lot to convince him. After assuring him that depositors can only draw £2 (and that every day if they like) without notice, but that they .can draw as much as they please by giving seven days' notice, Mr Maori was asked what he would do with the money if he " drew it all out " —it may have been 25s or £25 —and he replied that he would-hide it. Just so, and he laughed a hurricane when told of the fact that a few years ago a Maori buried a large sum of money in one of our surronding gullies, and for the ife of him, with the aid of many friends as well, when he wanted the money, it could not be found and has not to this day. Mr Maori replied, "All right then; me leave money safe with Government."

The slight run which took place on the Post Office Savings Bank as a result of the war appears to have ceased, and the PostmasterGeneral has made a statement to the effect that the deposits have again exceeded the withdrawals. Sir Joseph Ward urged that the people should be made fullyaware of the fact that the countrywas behind the Post Office Savings Bank and that there was nothing in the world safer, which is literally true. As a matter of fact money is very much safer there than in the pockets or purse of the private individual although the latter doesn't seem to fully realise the fact and in times of excitement makes a frantic rush to get possession of his own. When he does get possession of it the only thing he can do with it is to carry it about in his pockets, bury it in the back garden, hide it in the corner of a mattress, or .spend it. If' h t e carries it about he runs a risk of being robbed ;if he hides it somebody else may find it, and if he spends it he is practically in the same box, though in the letter- :

case he does get some equivalent for it. All things considered the Post Office ■ Savings Bank is therefore the safest place in which money can be left, for the simple reason that the State is behind it.