WAR LOAN APPEALS.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 28 August 1917, Page 4

WAR LOAN APPEALS.

Among tlie many appeals made by Press, Pulpit and other institutions in support of the War Loan, none strikes home more forcibly thun that made to a very large congregation, in Wellington on Sunday, by Archbishop o”Shea. He said, to his people, “You have freely and generously given the best and bravest of your sons to fight and die for the nation, though it has cost you many a pang and many a sorrow. Will you be less generous with the money that is so urgently needed now, but which compared with your sons is dross, and can be more readily spared than they? Surely not. I have, then, every confidence that our people will do thir full share in bringing about'the complete success of the War Loan.” Similar eloquent appeals were made in all Roman Catholic churches, in Wellafet Sunday. Wh£le jthis church is taking such eloquent steps to assist in assuring the success of the War Loan, what are we a3l doing, who are not of that church? Are we all looking upon our money as mere dross as compared with the lives we are so freely giving? Are we all realising that the lives we giv<| are gone for ever, while the money we subscribe to the War Loan will return to us with huge profits, and even were it lost it could be readily replaced. Archbishop O ’Shea urged upon his hearers that it was the duty of all Catholics to help the loan, It was not a work for the rich only. Th e rich, he hoped, would do their part, especially those who have made such profits out of the war. It was the least they could do, and their country expected it of them. But all must help; it must not be said in after years that any of us omitted to do something towards maintaining our Empire’s freedom. The Minister of Finance appeals to us direct to lend every shilling; he reminds us that small sums make big loans. It is, he says, the five, ten and fifty pounds which count to-day, and he urges us not to hesitate to lend even if it is only the thirteen shillings that will buy a one pound War Certificate. The country needs the money; with the State the money will be safe and the interest sure. The time is growing short, and we shouKd go to the Post Office to-day, and for ever avoid it being said that we did nothing towards defeating our Empire’s enemies. There is an abundance of money in this land, and instead of spending it unwisely, let us place it at the service of our

country, for by so doing we are helping practically to bring the end of the war nearer.