TAKEN TO TASK

Waikato Times, Volume 119, Issue 19903, 4 June 1936, Page 11

TAKEN TO TASK

BANK OFFICERS’ GUILD.

COMMENTS BY MINISTER. CIRCULAR UNDER CRITICISM. \\’ELLlNGTON.\\'ednesday. t In the course of a statement which takes the Bank Officers‘ Guild to taskt in connection with the recent memor—andum which he indicates does not state the farts correctly, the Hon. H. I‘. Armstrong {Minister of L‘abour), says that both the Prime Minister‘ and himself told them quite clearly that it they did not register as a union they would certainly be absorbed in another union. In regard to Australia, Mr Armstrong says if the truth were told to the brink employees it would he that the bank officers in Australia fought in the Arbitration Court for the increased wages and improved conditions they have obtained, and the increased wages in New Zealand were granted only after they had been fought for and obtained in Australia. The circular says the guild opposed the nationalisation of banking at the last election but it was non political. Did anyone ever read such a mass of contradiction as the circular contained, asks Mr Armstrong, who proceeds to criticise the attitude to be adopted in‘ the event of the ballot favouring thefer- t mation of a union, also mentioning the fact. that a flap is attached to the voting wipers on which the voter must sign ‘lhe name ot‘ the llmnk he works in and also the hrnnr‘h of the :bank. =ilo does ‘not suggest. he says, that the srrutineers will not tear this off as instructed, lint any court, of law, if asked for a ruling in regard to the result of such >3 secret lmllot. would certainly declare it null and void. The Minister concludes with friendly advice to [he Bank Offlicers‘ Guild that they should issue further instructions to the‘surutineers asking them to burn the ballot papers when they come to hand before the votes are counted This follows a reference to the Icontinentui dictators in their methods of securing large votes in their favour, [and the statement that the bank assist—ants 'Can blame the executive of their guild if they lose the opportunity or retaining their identity as a separate orgnnisation.