BANKS' REUNION.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1862, 23 September 1913, Page 4

BANKS' REUNION.

THE CHAIRMAN'S WORD TO CLERKS.

. Some interesting remarks wero made by Mr. F. AVobster, inspector of tho Bank of Australasia, at tho annual smoke concert of tho combined local bank clerks, which was held in St. Poter's Schoolroom last evening. In touching on tho social side of the banks, Mr. Webster expressed tho opinion that there was a great deal of room' for co-oporation amongst members of the profession. Tho disadvantage has been in tho past due to tho failure in tho attempt to create somo institution where clerics could meet and discuss not only tlio social side of bank lifo, but its educational sido. An attempt to form such an institutioja was carried to a successful issue somo ten years ago, but tho institution did not live. There was, it seemed to him, an unwillingness to take advantago of anything that would increase the knowledge of tho ordinary clcrk. In SvjJpey and Melbourne there were such institutions, but in tho_ former city tho sajno unwilling spirit existed, though in a milder form. He urged tlio necessity of taking an interest in the educational sido of banking, as well as in tho social sido. ' "If you young men aro evor going to be anything more than you aro, it is going to bo on your own efforts. -You are not going to got £5, £10, or evon £16 bonuses by simply doing your day's work with your eyo on the clock. Tha.t's tho way of existence —not of advancement. Ido not know of any profession—and I think banking can bo called a profession— which does not involve at least a practical knowledge of the law aspect. If you do not develop si. student attitude now, you will not attain it when you got older. You may find yourself being asked' at twouty-four hours' no;,tico -to take uj) and,' if you" are not prepared,' 'you simply cannot fill it. The secret is being preparod for it by study and observation." (Hear, hear.)' The usual toasts appropriate to the function wero honoured, and capital musical itoms wero rendered by tho following: Messrs. Miller, Orchard, Pallows, Minifie, Pliipps, DeveroaUx, Henderson, Picot, Connors, Sarjent, Dempster, and Duflou.