BUSINESS AS USUAL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24408, 20 September 1940, Page 4

BUSINESS AS USUAL

BANK OF NEW ZEALAND LONDON OFFICE CARRYING ON (Per United Press Association) WELLINGTON. Sept. 19. The latest cable messages received by the Bank of New Zealand from its London office show that in spite of air raids, public business is being continued within business hours. Provision was made before the war for carrying on in premises secured outside the London area, and duplicates of all records were made, and kept up to date; and one of these was safely deposited The management remained in the London premises and conducted business there in the ordinary way, notwithstanding the raids. A cablegram from the London manager, Mr D. F. Reid, has been received by Mr H. R. Chalmers, general manager, reading: “No staff casualties: windows splintered." The board of directors has cabled back expressing relief that the staff escaped injuries, and has also sent best wishes and thanks to the London staff. The New Zealand staff has informed the directors that it will undertake to look after any children of the London staff that might be sent out, and the board has undertaken the charge of their maintenance, if necessary. This offer has been acknowledged with sincere thanks, but for various reasons the London staff is not prepared to avail itself of it.

The London headquarters are in the very centre of the city, opposite the Mansion House, and facing the Bank of England.