Trustcard “gimmick’

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34152, 13 May 1976, Page 2

Trustcard “gimmick’

(NZ. Press Association) WELLINGTON, May 12. Trustee savings banks were making a commercial gimmick of the erosion of the public's freedom, the general secretary of the Bank Officers’ Union (Mi* W. D. Aimer) said today. The union criticised as “socially undesirable” the bank cards with photographs now being issued by trustee banks. “It is disturbing when citizens of a free country are induced to believe that they need to carry around identity photographs in order to

obtain services,” Mr Aimer said. This could only hasten the day when identity passes were made mandatory by law. To add insult to injury, the erosion of freedom was for a commercial gimmick which was unlikely to perform what was promised. An enterprising thief could readily replace the photograph. Positive identification soon became difficult with changes in the style of personal appearances, and the card would not give real protection. Mr Aimer said. Mr F. R. Bums, the secretary of the Associated Trustee Savings Banks, said, "It is very clear from his statement. that Mr Aimer has not really done his homework and that he has not had access

to all the facts such as the conditions under which trustee bank depositors are issued with the Trustcard. “While he talks with the usual emotional cliches about the erosion of freedom, he conveniently fails to make any reference to the freedom of trustee bank depositors to choose, without coercion or any high-pressure salesmanship, whether they wish to be issued with the card," he said. “He infers that the Trustcard was unlikely to perform what was promised, and goes on to suggest what an enterprising thief might do. “Here again, he shows his ignorance of the security features built into the card which are such as to minimise criminal activities.” said Mr Bums.