WAR SAVINGS CAMPAIGN THE SIGN OF THE SWASTIKA

In times gone by, book shops and other establishments were known by the signs hanging over the doors, and today the development of badges serves in somewhat kindred fashion to indicate the nature of the services rendered, whether by the individuals who wear them, or in the huts of the Red Triangle. The swastika, used everywhere and in all ages as a sign of good fortune, has been adopted by the War Savings Movement to symbolise the nature of the services that are being rendered throughout the country by some 150,000 voluntary unpaid workers. Their special concern is in the best way of all to promote the nation’s efficiency for war, and its welfare and prosperity for long years after peace is declared. They proclaim the importance of every individual in the country transferring his purchasing power to the State, in order that all available goods and services may be devoted to the purposes of war, none being applied unnecessarily for private use. As a result of this abstention from unnecessary expenditure, money is available for investment in Government securities. The process goes on steadily, week by week, and the records of the issue of War Bonds and War Savings Certificates tell partially, though not fully, of the great work that is being quietly accomplished under the sign of the swastika. War Savings Committees are established for towns and country districts, and these promote the formation of War Savings Associations, which provide facilities for collecting subscriptions to government securities by small investors, and urge upon all classes the necessity for making their money fight for the country. The movement is organised through the local authorities of counties, towns and rural areas. Lords-lieutenant and Lord Mayors, Mayors, and chairmen of district councils are everywhere leading or assisting in the work. Teachers are especially conspicuous for the thoroughness and success with which they carry it on in the schools and in the homes of the children; while, as secretaries, treasurers, and members of committees, many thousands of men and women are giving much time to the work and systematically applying the force of their personal influence with no thought of any reward other than that which comes from national service successfully rendered in the best possible spirit. One landmark was reached at the sign of the swastika with the success of the War Loan in February 1917. Another landmark has just been passed by subscriptions to War Bonds having reached the great total of £1,000,000,000. Banks, insurance companies and many other bodies have contributed to this large total – but the real stimulus underlying all these subscriptions has come from the work of the War Savings Movement, which may be statistically epitomised by the fact that whereas before the war, the number of holders of British government securities was only 350.000, it is now 17,000,000. The movement stands for far more even than efficiency in war and the conduct of the national finance on the soundest lines. America was so impressed with what it heard of the Savings Movement in the United Kingdom that some who were familiar with its work here were invited to the United States to give an account of its methods and its spirit. The result is that a corresponding movement copied almost exactly from that which exists in this country, is already working on a large scale in the States and is rapidly extending. The system works essentially on the snowball plan, and depends almost entirely upon personal influence and enthusiasm. This extends from one person to another, and becomes the more effective as time goes on. It involves, especially for secretaries, accountkeeping and other routine work; but, practically without exception, their enthusiasm enables them to see this dull routine as a necessary means to a great end, and they pursue it unceasingly, with no thought or wish of personal gain, without desire for fame or notoriety. A great movement is being carried on at the sign of the swastika, and it is one in which every individual in the country can and should take an effective part.