BANKS AND THEIR CLERKS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LI, Issue 5589, 23 January 1879, Page 7

BANKS AND THEIR CLERKS.

A correspondent who signs himself " Felix” sent the following letter to tho Wellington Post :— Now that the low has been vindicated in tho case of James Mackio, it may not ho perhaps amiss if we endeavour to see if his exForionco cannot, in some way, point a moral, scarcely think it needs any words of mine to show that oven handed justice is invariably swift and sure, and though a man should take no higher standard for His guidance than a question of policy, it needs but little reflection to show that any step from tho path of strict integrity in whatever way it may bo taken in tho various intricacies of commerce, invariably brings its own punishment, oven though tho law fails to detect, and though a man’s nearest friend does not trace it. But my object in writing you, sir, is to point to one or two features in tho banking arrangements iu this city. Tho question of the salaries of bank officials, as ms Honor remarked in Maokie’s case, is a matter upon which it may bo incompetent for an outsider, perhaps, to express an opinion, but I have no doubt his Honor’s opinion coincides pretty nearly with tho opinions expressed by a groat many who have read tho case. It would bo invidious to specialise any one bank when speaking of practices which I believe are pretty general amongst all tho banks hero, but while it is most commendable in them to extend thoir ! business by opening numerous branches, they ' should remember that if they require tho services of a man of education to occupy a position of such trust as tho handling of considerable sums of money, and the comparative solo temporary charge of their accounts, they should most certainly not seek to obtain suon services at little more than the pay of a common labourer. It is a useless argument to say that the duties are light, for a position of this kind must occupy a man’s whole time, whether employed actively or otherwise, and his position and respectability must bo maintained; therefore, if the bank’s business will not pay for the services of such a man as the position needs, it should be discontinued. Surely the services of such an one should at tho very least bo equal to a firstclass mechanic. Again, the question of demand and supply, which is frequently raised in such case—this I contend is only rightly considered when good business judgment can properly estimate the value of the services rendered with the position to be maintained. Any step below tins proper standard of value cannot fail to lead eventually in many instances to temptation if nothing worse, and it is a moot point, both in the secular as well as in the scriptural creed, whether the tempter is not as censurable as the tempted. I speak with some years of commercial experience, and I have no hesitation in saying that £l5O per annum, considering tho value of mechanical and common labour in the Colonies, also tho comparative cost of living by the Old Country, is, to say the least, not calculated to lead a competent and reliable man to seek such a sinecure. That the directors and managers may speedily change such a course of procedure is greatly to be desired. One more oppressive practice is very much to be deprecated in, I believe, all the banks iu town, and I am inclined to think it is more noticeable here than in any town in New Zealand, and that is the exceedingly late hours exacted from nearly aU bank officials. A common labourer whose work, if not at all times cleanly, at least is immeasurably more healthy than the confined and sedentary occupation of bank clerks; these former, I say, cease from their labours at a time when nature intended man to have relaxation, but not so with tho employees of banks. Night after night one can see, in passing along the streets, the lights burning in almost all the banks in town until ten, eleven, and even almost midnight. 1 ask is this right ? Is it right that banks should, for ;the sake of a one per cent perhaps on the dividend, exact the very utmost from their servants rather than employ an adequate number to do the work within reasonable hours P Meantime these long-suffering clerks work on uncomplainingly, not daring to breathe a word of discontent, as they value their places. Is it right that this should continue P Any good business man knows that a servant overworked can never give the satisfaction he requires and likes to see. But this is again met by the reply, “ Others will step in and do it if it is objected to.” On this view my opinion, like that of many others, whose judgment I have always valued, is that an adequate salary, combined with reasonable canonical hours, is best calcu’ated to give such institutions good and reliable men, whose services harmonise with the bank’s interests, will in the end, I say, prove more lasting and unquestionably more conducive to the progress of such institutions, or, indeed, any mercantile establishment. I must apologise for taking up so much of your valuable space, but I trust that other pens, more able than mine, may be led to take the matter up, and through the medium of a powerful Press, induce a speedy change as herein suggested. That banks and merchants may take this hint is a consummation devoutly to be wished.