BRITISH AFFAIRS

Southland Times, Issue 18963, 9 June 1923, Page 5

BRITISH AFFAIRS

BAfIKS AND CLIENTS QUESTION OF SECRECY (By Telegraph—Preiw \ssn.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, June 8. (Received June 8, 9.15 p.m.). Since the High Court case there has been a controversy whether bank officials are entitled, in any circumstances, to disclose the state of a customer’s accounts. The committee of the clearing house of bankers have now decided that the bond of secrecy between the bank and customers was not modified by the judgment. The solicitors for the National Provincial Bank, which is concerned in a case announces that any idea that the banks are under no obligation to keep customers’ affairs secret, is contrary to their clients’ views. The bank does not approve of such answers as given by their official under cross-exammlo-tion, as they imply lack of such obligation. The Daily Express understands that the attitude of the banks is that they are bound to secrecy, but that when a client has an overdraft and letters to his private residence are returned un-opened, they are at liberty to make inquiries at his place of business. (A recent cable message said: A High Court jury held that words appearing in pass books of bank customers to the effect that officers of the bank were bound to secrecy as regards the transactions of its customers did not apply to the ordinary course of business. A branch manager had communicated to the manager of an engineering firm, stating that one of his salesmen had passed a cheque on a slightly overdrawn account to a bookmaker. The jury dismissed the salesman’s slander claim, holding that the bank’s action did not constitute slander. The judge said that a banker could disclose the state of a person’s account if it was reasonable or justifiable without committing a breach of confidence).

LADY M.P. TAKES SEAT. LONDON, June 8. (Received June 8, 7.15 p.m.) Mrs Philipson, the member for Berwick, took her seat in the House of Commons, amidst Ministerial cheers. AN ELECTORAL ANOMALY. LONDON, June 7. An Admiralty report states that at the general election 700 officers and men entitled to vote in Central Portsmouth did not receive ballot papers by post. The Admiralty and Home Office are considering amendments in the electoral procedure. RENT CONTROL BILL. LONDON, June 8. f Received June 8 5.5 p.m.) In the House of Commons the Rent Control Bill was read a second time by 207 votes to 123. ANGLO-AFGHAN TRADE. (Reuter’s Telegrams). LONDON, June 7. An Anglo-Afghan trade convention has been signed at Kabul giving effect to the obligation of the Treaty of November, 1921. < WAR DEBT INSTALMENT NEW YORK, June 7 Britain has purchased Liberty bonds and established dollar credits to meet the 80,000,000 dollar instalment of war debt due on June 18. BREAK FROM GAOL WARDER ATTACKED WITH PICKAXE. (United Service). LONDON, June 7. A convict, named Charles Baker, made a sensational escape from Norwich gaol. It is alleged he attacked a warder with a pickaxe handle. Before the alarm was given he dressed in the Governor’s clothes, taking £l7 belonging to the Governor. The police, on horseback and motor bicycles, are scouring the country. The warder is in a critical condition.

JAPAN AND THE PACIFIC. LONDON, June 7. The Australian Press has arranged with the Morning Post for the exclusive rights of six articles on Japan and the problem of the Pacific by a special correspondent entrusted with a secret mission of investigation. The articles take a serious view of impending developments. The publication will commence on Monday morning. FURTHERING IMPERIAL PREFERENCE (The Times.) LONDON, June 7. A meeting of members of the House of Commons and the House of Lords decided to revive the Compatriots Club originally founded by Mr Joseph Chamberlain. It consists of members in favour of the adoption of a system of Imperial preference. It is thought in view of the forthcoming Imperial Conference that the present would be a suitable time for revival. Lord Selborne will be president.