WAR LOAN MATTERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 April 1918, Page 4

WAR LOAN MATTERS.

STATEMENT BY. THE MINISTKK,

By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. Sir Joseph Ward stated in the Houst. of Representatives to-day that he would be conferring immediately with the chairmen of the associated banks regard* ing the rates of interest which they, would charge on advances for investment in tho war loan. He was confident that the banks .would do what they could to facilitate this kind of national investment. Speaking generally on the loan, Sir Joseph Ward said that while the Government would take all practicable steps to assure the satisfactory raising of money, care inuot t>e taken to avoid disturbing the general financea of the country During this time -everything connected with finances by public and private corporations and com> panies would have to bo under the control of the Government, and the law would have to make a provision to prevent the undue raising of rates of int©»« est by individuals or lending institutions. Regulations for this purpose would be gazetted soon. Sir Joseph described as "idiotic in the extreme" the current allegation that small investors who had deposited money with the post office savings bank would" not.get it back- All tho Government institutions were thoroughly sound.

Sir Joseph also said that one large institution had taken £400,000 of wa* loan bonds, and others were, acting in a similar manner.