The GIRL in the BANK

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 175, 19 May 1916, Page 3 (Supplement)

The GIRL in the BANK

Out of the one-time war panic among the money-changers, says the London "Daily Chronicle," there has come a great tug at the old moorings of a mighty city, and likewise at the heart-strings of Mrs. Grundy. If the Bank of England, buttressed up by the force of great traditions. can break away from the old moorings and receive with open arms some hundreds of girl clerks, why should not the rest of the banking world shake off old customs and do likewise?

In the Bank of England hundreds of girl clerks are already installed; and in some of "the biggest joint stock bank's the numbers are even larger, and the entry easier. The virtue of a friendly introduction from a director, official, or influential customer, by "-ay of'financial and social godfather, is still in evidence at the Bank of England, but some of the great joint stock banks have had the courage of considering applications of candidates on their merits. One of these banks, having branches in all parts of the country, had, some little tune ago. already about -!00 women clerks employed at their head office in the City, ranging from very, young juniors to "veterans" of 50 years of age.

"In the matter of pay for the girl clerk." said .a City man, "there are twe types of banks considered as employers of girl clerks. There is the bank which still holds to the traditional custom of requiring the nomination cf a director, or influential recommendation, of candidates of good family, and is willing to pay for finite elementary service worth :k"ble its value in the open market; and there are the banks, just now incr< aoing in number, who are ready to receive applications and to deal with them on their merits paying them about the same rate as in commercial offices, or in the case of senior experienced girls offering their services, even less. In both cases this rush to the banks by girls to replace men in an emergency msy have the effect

c-l" the demoralisation of the girl clerks' labour market—ln the one ease by over-paying the respectable but poorly-qualified junior, and in the other by under-paying the experienced senior."'

In all banks, whatever may be the conditions of entry for the girl clerk, the managers are careful to inform candidates that the appointments are "temporary." The candidate who g'ves us a well-paid post in a commercial office for the sake of "getting into a bank" has, therefore, to tnke the risk as to what may happen "after the time." Time will show how far the great transition will have to be re-enacted "when the men come home": but. in the opinion of many City men, the girl clerk in banks and insurance offices has come to stay. The majority may not be retained, but in many cases the expo riencec! capable girl will have, proved not only that, she can do the work required of her. but that her services .ire necessary to the management and efficient working of the bank. What are the special qualifications required of the girl clerk in a bank? For the great majority they are not special at all, but really very ordinary. In view of the fact, however, that many candidates apply who have very little in the way of ordinary qualifications for clerical work, one or two hints on the subject of qualifications "may be given. First and i foremost, there is the .ability to write a clear, legible hand, and to write good figures: to be able to add up figures with facility and accuracy, to possess a sufficient aptitude for mental arithmetic to save the risk of ser'ous mistakes, and —to be respectable.

To all girl clerks in banks, and those trying to enter, the remark of a City man may be commended. "When this war is over and the men come back to claim their places, given up by them to go to the front, the girl clerk's testing time will come, and it will be then that training will ten." A.K.