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Salient. An Organ of Student Opinion at Victoria College, Wellington, N.Z. Vol. 6, No. 8 June 23, 1943

Cold Cash — Is Freedom worth it?

Cold Cash

Is Freedom worth it?

There is no need for us to write magniloquently about freedom and liberty. Our freedom as students has always been apparent. Those few who were at V.U.C. in pre-war days will be able to tell of the gallant and continual fight of students here to maintain their "civic liberties" in the face of attack. It is to defend this freedom that our friends have left for the fighting front and we too can pay a small share.

It Is Oars . . .

This war is our war—it is the war of our people and the loan is the loan of our people. If we make a great success of this loan, as should be the case, it is certainly true that we would not be the first country to do so—America, Australia, England and Soviet Russia have all supported highly successful loans.

Were the loan to prove unsuccessful, the failure would do great damage—it would necessarily imply further heavy taxation, thus breaking down the whole war economy which is now based on stabilisation. This would react most heavily on the working class and lower income groups such as students.

Stabilisation.

With the shrinking supply of consumable goods available to the people it is both necessary and desirable that excess purchasing powers be put to work in the interest of the war. The more effective rationing and price control become, the more necessary and desirable it will be to attract money back into the war effort.

Eureka.

The money for the loan will come in part from money already saved or invested in banks, companies, etc., but they are a comparatively minor source of supply. In the main the money will have to come from those who receive a regular wage, as do the workers, and one might well add—the students.

Our Privilege.

It is true that £10 and £1 are rather fantastically large sums for the average V.U.C. and T.C. student pocket, although any wage earner can afford the latter. Group savings schemes and N.S. Bank Book have made it a practicable plan for all (yes, even Your) income.

The Liberty Loan is for our country and our people—for God and King and Country, if you will, or for those left-wingers—remember the tradition of "Arms for Spain," and that this is more revolutionary than singing the Red Flag. This is an appeal, not to the other guy, but to you—it is your destiny to be living today—you don't like the war—very well, help to destroy Hitler.