CLOSING OF BANKS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 49, 22 November 1918, Page 4

CLOSING OF BANKS

POSITION EXPLAINED—A CASE 01? SAVING LIVES. The closing of the banks throughout the Dominion has caused a good deal of irritation in certain quarters, and a statement upon tho matter was made yesterday by the Minister of Finance (Sir Joseph Ward). "It was not a mandatory action on tho part of the Government," explained Sir Joseph Ward to a reporter. "The position was that, like many other institutions in tho country, bank staffs were depleted, and in one or two instances there wero no staffs in the banks at nil. They were closed on account of their inability to cany on. Tho , depicted staffs lind to work long hours and overtime in order to get the business done, and it was represented that if this state of affairs went on probably those on duty would succumb. On account of their being unable to meet the difficulty, the banks therefore asked for authority _ to close, and as it was a case of saving the jives of tho employees, which was paramount, authority was given to enable them io meet the unparalleled situation that this epidemic has brought about. It was a Dominion request. Another reason which promoted it was that people suffering from influenza wero going in and out of the banks at a time, when everything that human effort could do was being done to prevent the spread of' tho disease. Personally, I realise tfye inconvenience.that has arisen. For instance, at the moment, in the telegraph offices throughout the country wo have over 2000 officers down with influenza. That resulted in my having to give instructions, which was unavoidable, that a very limited telegraphic service should be carried out. and telegrams have been restricted to those dealing with sickness and denth, or messages relating to train or steamer arrangements. Even with a limited service somo of tho officers have been on duty practically all night. Tn somo of tho country 'stations fho staffs have been all right, and on duty, and consequently the public may have thought that the work can be carried on. But, the work of the telegraph servico depends upon those who are at the receiving stations as well as upon thoso at the sending offices, and no person outside can form any correct judgment a's to what the position is without having an idea of the whole 'situation." FURTHER PROTESTS FROM AUCKLAND. ■ By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, November 21. Further protests against the closing of the banks have been made by tho Mayor and (he president of tho Chamber" of Commerce.