BANK OFFICERS AND THE COST 0£ LIVING

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 158, 29 March 1919, Page 8

BANK OFFICERS AND THE COST 0£ LIVING

Sir,—lt is with much satisfaction that yet another practical banker lias given us his views on (lie above subject. This subject is one that lias engaged the attention of bank ollicers for a considerable time, but very little has been given to tho public mi Iho matter, for obvious reasons, ono of which is that hankers havo been loth to discuss their salaries in the public eye, fearing to arouse tho indignation of their directors. This, to mv mind, belongs to tho past. There is not the slightest doubt of the fact at all that bank officers' salaries are quite inadequate, and in consequence the bankers have indeed a hard matter to assumo the duties and responsibilities which their respective institutions expect of them. The banks want their staffs to bo respectable, honest', and upright, zealous men able to take a leading placo as well in the social lifo of tho community, and it is quite right that they should" take this view. Tho public' also, who arc the lifo of tho bank, want their bankers to be such men as these; but it scorns hardly to be expected when ono considers Hie poor remunerations given far those wishing to become bankers. Along with many other things, this great warltas broadened tho minds of the men and women of this country, and it is tiniß that even bankers should stir themselves up witli a view to getting, for themselves a big increase in their salaries to meet the ever-increasing high cost of living. As a banker of a good few years' standing, I heartily agree, along with many another brother ollicer, that something must be done by us in the wny of forming a union to, if need be, insist on our directors a truo sense of what is honourably duo to us. .1 contend' that the men of. our banks who through various causes have been unablo to join in the great conflict, have during tho past four years displayed steadfastness and zeal tb their institutions worthy of great praise, and, like their comrades overseas, though engaged in a different battle, havo not been found wanting. The publio know and appreciate this fact. It is now for tho directors to show their appreciation of this fine work during the strenuous times just past and also of those to come by substantially increasing their officers' salaries to such an extent with a view' to making a Kinking institution what it ought to lw-bne worthy to belong to.—l am, etc., ■ FIXED DEPOSIT.

Sir—l have noticed several letters in The Dominion with reference to bank employees, but as very little has been 6aid about the treatment of junior members I trust you will give publicity to this •ielter, "which will show how one of the largest hanks in New Zealand has treated its juniors during tho war. I know of a youth fresh from .school who joined this bank just prior to the outbreak of war. For at least a year he was .practically forced to work nearly every night until 9 and sometimes 10 o'clock. Me lias uot been given a day's holiday after over lour years' service, and the excuse was made that there was a war on; but 1 understand tho other banks have been able to spare their youths to enable them to have a holiday, and why not this bank? 1 ihink everybody will admit Unit it is necessary for growing youths to have a vacation. He was transferred away from his borne lown when he was getting the princely salary of .£BO a year, and no further asiistiuice in the way of lodging allowance was granted to him. He was eventually called up in the ballot, and when he made application for leave lo enable him to visit his home before going to camp, and fully expecting to receive at lccst two weeks after over four years' service, lie was informed that the lime ho had been away attending compulsory Territorial ea.mps had been deducted from his annual leave, aud under liio circumstances they could only grant .him one week's leave. Tlie armistice was signed before he went to camp, so he did not receive any leave, aud he has now been nearly live years without a holiday. I havo every ren.9oll to believe this is not an isolated case; in fact, I am sure there are dozens of youths who have been treated in a similar mariner. My object in bringing this before the public is in tlie hope that it will 'help to improve the conditions of the junior members, especially their salaries, which are lower than present conditions warrant. Surely this bank can spare some of its profits to pay a living wage to its juniors—l am, etc., " SENIOR.