21 JUNE 1919, Page 2

The that of a series of meetings to emphasize the

national importance of the new Loan was held at the Guildhall on Monday with the Lord Mayor in the chair. Mr. Chamberlain read an inspiring message from the Prime Minister. " We must beware," wrote Mr. Lloyd George, " lest through -lassitude or indifference victory should be left derelict to rust upon the battlefield. . . . Let us see that we do not fail through lack of steadfast purpose to complete the noblest structure in our country's history." Mr. Chamberlain explained that the Loan was needed, not for fresh expenditure, but to convert the vast floating Debt which remains over from the war and causes an uncertainty paralysing to new enterprises. The terms, he said, might be criticized as being too generous. Investors were offered the beat security in the world on terms which would never be given again. But it was -worth while to ensure a very large subscription which would place our Rational finances on a firm basis. " The wider the Loan is

spread, the greater the stability of our social fabric, the less the danger that any reckless hand can ever shake it."