FOREIGN CLERKS IN LONDON.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 1289, 27 August 1914, Page 4

FOREIGN CLERKS IN LONDON.

Whereas thirty years ago 50 per cent, of the staffs in many London firms were foreigners, the percentage of foreigners to day is not more than five. Many German and French clerks still go for employment to London but they are invariably sent to the city houses of foreign firms. The reasons for this, as stated by the secretary of the London Chamber of Commerce are : The recognition that the employment of foreign clerks means the training of business rivals, the enormously advanced business training of English men and women. “It was found,” he said, “that often after a foreign clerk had experience in an office and became acquainted with the firm’s business methods and the names of customers, a rival undertaking in the same line would begin with lamentable results. We’ pointed out to education authorities how backward we were—and still are—-in the' teaching of commercial subjects. Evening schools were opened, and the importance of the study of such subjects as shorthand, typewriting, filing, book keeping and modern languages were emphasised. We issued certificates, which are recognised as the hall mark of capacity. For instance, if we send a clerk to the office of a firm in France his employers know that he can write, read and converse in French with the facility of a native. One important thing is still needed. The sons of heads of firms should be trained so that, instead of a business passing into the hands of strangers, or being turned into a public company, it can be carried on and developed by a business son.”