Sir Robert Kindersley's statement at the end of November that the National Savings campaign had achieved its target of £475 millions of small savings collected in its first year is the more gratifying in that right up to the last moment the achievement seemed in doubt. The actual amount collected through the three media (Savings Certificates, Defence Bonds and additional Savings Bank deposits) was in fact £475,532,- 981. This, moreover, excludes a further £6,510,394 subscribed to the Post Office issues of the 3 per cent. War Loan, the 2% per cent. National War Bonds and the special Ulster Savings Certificates. The addition of this £6,510,394 would make the grand total of small savings for the year £482,043, 375, though in fairness, and if such detailed accuracy is sought for, a deduction should be made from the total respect of about £25 millions of National Savings Certificates cashed in during the year. One thing which daily becomes more abundantly clear is that, excellently though both the Savings Committee and the saver have performed, they cannot afford to rest upon their oars. The present success will be barren indeed if it does not spur on all parties to fresh efforts. In this second campaign year it is imperative that the first year's result must not only be beaten, but very badly beaten. That this is in a fair way of being done is proved by the fact that the total is now £531,000,000.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.