THE WAR LOAN.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLI, Issue 11650, 19 August 1916, Page 5

THE WAR LOAN.

To The Editor. SIR,—Do not the manifestly anxious steps the Minister for Finance is taking to bring the urgency of the War Loan home to the people indicate that up to the present at any rate they have not taken the question sufficiently seriously to heart? One cannot help thinking the Government is in some measure to blame. The notice given and the original period for subscribing have been too short. A people take time to realise even so simple and at the same time so important a matter as the War Loan The time has, however, been extended and surely it becomes all persons, whatsoever their position of responsibility, not only to subscribe what they can themselves but to lay the. opportunity before all whom they are able to influence or have ■working in co-opera-tion with them or for them. Might they not go further than this and where the need exists arrange per-. sonally to enable the employed to obtain certificates by weekly or monthly payments? The security, of course, is of the best, but in this matter why not appeal to the higher 1 feelings, /those feelings that have | led onr men to offer themselves for the front? They have gone not fox what they can gain but in the service of their country. Why should we assume that those who, tor one reason or another, are obliged to remain at home are moved by any motives less noble? The munition worker of the Old Land is one with bis comrade in the trench. And the' New Zealanders at home with the Anzac in Egypt and France. One cannot believe that while they stand there ready to die the man gt home will reply “No’.’ when asked to help tnem through this loan. He will see that as it became necessary to mobilise the military strength of the Dominion and focus it on "one end, so it is necessary tomobilise our wealth and direct it to the support of those who have gone forward. It is only explanation that is needed and time for the latter to be brought home. Let us trust to the people of our Dominion and appeal to their hearts rather than their pockets, their love for their country and their brothers at the front rather than to their love of gain. The raising of the loan is a national necessity, and there can be no doubt that it will he'subscribed if approached from tbe proper point of view. When once the people understand what the loan means, viz.,, that through it they are identifying themselves with the self-sacri-fiee of their brothers at the front, they will not, one may be sure, hesitate to do their part. Tbe heart of the people is sound. It only needs time to understand and take the matter in.—l am, etc., CITIZEN.