All combatant countries in the Second World War came to realise just how expensive modern warfare can be. In New Zealand taxes tripled between 1940 and 1945 so the necessary capital could be raised, with the government taxing to the economic limit.

For those with surplus funds, "National Savings Bonds" were introduced. These were loans made to the government for war purposes to be paid back (with some interest) when peace returned. By 1946, over forty million pounds had been invested in the scheme.   ‘Lend to defend the right to be free!’ was the overarching motto of National Savings and was put on posters, cinema slides and savings books.

With 30 million tickets sold in 1939, New Zealand's cinemas was the perfect place to attract attention!  

The mention of the serviceperson's sacrifice as a compelling reason to offer savings harks back to a theme in the First World War. In New Zealand some labour unions urged the government to raise taxes on the wealthy, arguing that if people's lives were being conscripted, so should capital. This was not directly taken up (but was effected indirectly through taxes on luxury items) and the idea was repeated on this slide.

Adamson Dudley Advertising was founded in May 1943 in Christchurch. It is unknown whether this slide was shown outside of the South Island or not, but ones like it would have been screened throughout New Zealand.

At the time, taxes were high to enable the New Zealand to keeping fighting in the Second World War, but citizens were urged to spend any disposable income with the war effort. War Bonds went towards the war effort and Patriotic Appeals like this one provided comforts to troops on the front lines, on leave and in prisoner-of-war camps.  The funds also helped toward rehabilitating returning service personnel. 

Local committees and elected Councils worked on collecting donations in their areas. Raffles were also held to raise money. Those who were judged to have the means to pay received personal letters and visits so if you looked wealthy you could expect some attention!   

Adamson Dudley Advertising must have done a good job as company records show them as being registered up until 1995!

This page, removed from a photo album has 4 photos from El Alamain. The writing has faded badly and is difficult to decipher:

Written below the photo at top left:

Refuelling an equipping

for Breakthrough of

Wadi Platoons Sept 1942

Written below bottom left photo:

Supply Point Alamain July 1942

Written below top right photo:

Trusty Q truck

Supply Point

Alamein

Written below the bottom right photo:

Relievers? Minqar Qaim,

Alamein June 28th 1942