: "This man has died for his
Country. What are you doing for the Nation in its hour of trial?" Now
follows a vivid lesson in how to save and buy a War Savings
Certificate. This film has been shown in 2500 cinema theatres up to the
first of the year and was booked to be shown in 1000 more within the
next few months.
So widespread has the Thrift movement become that the War Savings
Committee now publishes its own monthly magazine called _War Savings_.
The first issue appeared on September first and included such timely
articles as "The Might of a Mite," a lesson in penny building: "The
Final Mobilisation," which showed how the last L100,000,000 would win
the war: a third article explained the Economy Exhibition now being held
all over Great Britain as part of the Thrift crusade. There was also an
article on the War Saving movement by Reginald McKenna, Chancellor of
the Exchequer, and a very illuminating appeal, "Every Household Must
Help Win the War."
This leads to one of the most instructive branches of the whole
campaign, the one devoted to the elimination of waste in the household.
Under the direction of the Patriotic Food League a voluminous and
helpful literature has been prepared and distributed. One booklet
devoted to "Waste in the Well-to-do Household" shows how gas, coal and
electric light bills, and the whole cost of living can be reduced.
Another called "Household Economies" has helpful hints for mistress and
maid: a third is "The Best Foods in War-Time." A stirring plea was made
to every household in the shape of a card surmounted by a picture of
Lord Kitchener and containing his famous warning to the English people:
"Either the civilian population must go short of many things to which it
is accustomed in times of peace, or our armies must go short of
munitions and other things indispensable to them." Below this quotation
was the stirring question:
"Which is it to be: economy in the household or shortage in the Army and
Navy?"
Under the title of "War Savings in the Home" a plan of campaign has been
sent to every household in England for operation during the whole period
of war. Among other things it urges every family to give up meat for at
least one day in the week, and in any case to use it only once a day.
Margarine is recommended instead of butter. Home baking is strenuously
suggested. It is shown how reduction in personal and household
expenditure can be effected, for example, in the laundry by u
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