BANK SERVICE

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 28, 28 October 1942, Page 6

BANK SERVICE

Talk Of Amalgamation Disclaimed

QUESTION OF STAFFING

Dominion Special Service.

AUCKLAND, October 27.

In the course of an iippeal against service for bank employees, heard at Stratford, Mr. C. Smith, local manager of the Bank of New Zealand, who supported the appeal, stated that the banks had considered an amalgamation plan in order to release men for the armed forces, but he had not heard how it had progressed. Five bauks operated at Stratford and, if four, or even three, could give the necessary service to the public a saving in staff would result. Commenting on this statement, local banking officers disclaimed any knowledge of any talk of amalgamation. There bad, they said, been discussions as to whether reciprocal arrangements might be come to in certain specific country districts whereby a particular bank might operate free from competition. However, such an agreement, even -though limited in its scope, was beset with difficulties, and it was by no means certain that the object aimed at, mainly, the conservation of manpower, would be achieved. In the case of Auckland, said one of the bank managers, staffs had been drastically reduced at a time when all sorts of extra work had come upon the banks. Actually, the staffs of the city banks were going at top speed the whole time. It was unfortunate in one way that banking was not officially an “essential industry,” for no responsible section of the community or the Government itself would claim to l>e able to dispense with its services. From the outbreak of the war, stated this officer, the Auckland banks. had voluntarily taken steps to release as many of their employees as possible for the war effort, consistent with the efficient conduct of their service to the public. At the present time female labour was largely employed, but banking was a highly technical operation, and time was needed to train new emplovees for responsible positions. The chairman of the Associated Banks, Mr. H. R. Chalmers, when questioned by “The Dominion” last night, said he had no comment to make on the suggestion of amalgamation.