Poster, 'We Can't Win With Bare Hands!'

This small format World War II poster features an older careworn man, who, with a distant glazed look and outstretched hands, beseeches the viewer to join a National Savings Group. His helmet and age indicate that he is either a member of the Home Guard or the Emergency Precautions Scheme. The text and sparse imagery are tightly linked to emphasise the message.

National Savings
National Savings became a constant feature of everyday life during the war years, attracting small weekly investments from a wide cross-section of the public. Contributions could be made either individually or through workplace groups, where employees could authorise their employers to transfer regular amounts from their wages into National Savings Accounts. Savings bonds and accounts bore interest at 3 per cent, and the money invested into National Savings was paid into the War Expenses Account. The scheme was advertised to the public as a way for everyone to make a contribution, no matter how small, and to encourage saving for the post-war period when goods would become more plentiful. Public support was generally very positive, with most New Zealanders willing to cut back or postpone spending on consumables, and to save more of their incomes.

Effectiveness
This poster would have been displayed inside work places or overhead inside trams. By late 1941, over 3700 firms in New Zealand had organised such groups.