THE BANK OFFICER

Hokitika Guardian, 31 May 1927, Page 4

THE BANK OFFICER

WORKING CONDITIONS COMPARED. WELLINGTON, May 28. Mr IT. R. Mourant (of Wellington), general secretary of the New Zealand Bank Officers’ Guild, lias just returned from a visit to Great Britain and the Channel Islands. While away lie came contact with -organisations of bank’Officers having the same objects usjrthe Now Zealand Guild. In' tdfe journal of tthe local organisation. Mr Mourant gives an interesting account of liis travels and enquiries. His investigations were made in Glasgow, when he met bank officers

from Australia and South Africa. At Edinburgh he adressed the Scottish Bank Officers’ Association. He also conferred with the executive of the English Guild in'London—a guild with 23,00) members—and spoke at several ether meetings of bank officers in London, receiving a most cordial welcome, great interest being shown in what was done in New Zealand to improve the conditions of .service with hanks. Mr Mourant was impressed with the fine stamp of men who are guiding and eantroling the English Guild .and the Scottish Association respectively, and it was therefore disappointing to him, lie said, to learn that the hanks in both countries were so unwise as to decline to extend formal

re i gnition to these worthy societies. By adopting and persisting in this attitude. the banks are not studying their own best interests nor those of their stall's. At the various gatherings Mr .Mourant attended in England and in S'e.tland, the wish was expressed that the Xew Guild would agree to affiliate with the International Federation of Bank Officials’ Association, which at present consist of English, Scottish, Irish and South African societies. The matter will doubtless come before the next conference of the New Zealand Guild.

'Mr Mourant also met officials of hunk officers’ organisations in Perth OYcstcrn Australia). Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney, discussing ‘ui d or association matters with them, and exchanging ideas. His conclusions are that, after a consideration of working conditions affecting hank officers in the United States, Britain, France, Italy, and Australia, the status ot banking is high in New Zealand, and the position of hank employees, taking everything into account, better than in any country lie visited.