LIBERTY LOAN.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1755, 4 September 1917, Page 3

LIBERTY LOAN.

MAGNIFICENT RESULT. UPWARDS OF £15,750,000 IN. STATEMENT BY THE FINANCE , MINISTER. “The War Loan has been largely over-subscribed,” stated the Minister for Finance (the Right Hon. Sir J. G. Ward) to a press representative who waited on him late last night to learn the result of the issue of the Liberty Loan of twelve millions sterling. “Over 15;| millions,” added Sir Joseph, “is the amount as advised from the different parts of the country to-night; but, when all the returns come to hand, the final result will vary to some extent, probably well on the higher side. Of that amount, £3,116,000, or about one-fifth of the total, has come in through the Postal Money Order Offices; and there is more yet to come in. The result is very gratifying, the loan having been on the market about three weeks only. Some people thought the time was too short, but the splendid result shows what a wonderful response can be made in a limited time when the people got to work in real earnest. A FINE SPIRIT DISPLAYED. “There has been a fine spirit displayed by the people throughout the Dominion; and I take this opportunity of specially thanking the press for the groat assistance they have rendered, quite apart from any advertisements that have appeared in their columns. Their daily a Hides in reference to the loan, I am quite satisfied, have helped to keep it before the public in a way that could not otherwise have been accomplished. I wish In specially thank, too, the generous body of volunteers who have made (he work of helping the loan their particular concern; and 1 waul also to acknowledge. the services that have been rendered to (he country by the various organisations to whom I wrote in the earlier period of the loan. In them 1 include the clergymen of the various denominations throughout the Dominion, the Mayors of the various boroughs, (lie chairmen of the county councils, the members of the local public bodies, the school teachers, the friendly societies, and the patriotic societies. THIRTY MILLIONS RAISED IN TWO YEARS. “1 would like to say here, that (he last loan raised in Now Zealand closed on August 20th last year, so that in just over twelve months twenty-seven millions have been raised, in addition to which -if is lo ho-remembered that two’ millions were raised for public works (ho year before. Including contributions from the Post Office not given lo (be war loans, that means Ilia 1 something over thirty millions has been raised in the two years. It is a wonderful tribute to the financial position of this country that, under the altered conditions due to the war so much Ims been raised in so short a (lino. 1 can only say now Unit the result of (he present appeal for funds for war purposes is magnificent. “In conclusion,” said Sir Joseph, “ lo those people \ybo from any cause have been prevented from pulling in their applications, or have been delayed in so doing through absence from their places of business or residence, and to tbocornpanios, friendly societies, and trustees who cannot put theirs in till the enabling clauses of the Finance Bill have boon passed, I would add (hat reasonable lime will be given them to send in their applications.”