11 NOVEMBER 1916, Page 15

THE BURNING OF WAR BONDS.

[To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."]

Sta,—No doubt there are large masses of our population who have not begun to learn to be thrifty, but there are also large numbers who are practising thrift at the expense of the country. A great deal of what they lend at a high rate of interest they might well afford to give. The King has set a noble example by giving, not lending, £100,000 to the country, and why should not those who have incomes in excess of their own needs follow his example? What can be meaner than to exact a high rate of interest when you lend money to a friend in distress? And in this case the friend in distress is represented by our own country.—I am, Sir, H.