18 MARCH 1955, Page 20

SIR,-1 do not think that 'Employer,' in your issue of

March 11, has stated all his facts correctly.

1. In comparing the cashiering capabilities of the girl of twenty-three years and the man of forty, perhaps the man was a chief cashier with all the responsibilities of dealing with the total and reserve cash of the branch bank, whereas the girl might well be only taking in certain credits and/or cashing certain cheques. it is difficult for a customer to know exactly what duties she performs.

2. I suggest that his own cashier, presumably handling a large turnover, is very much under- paid and a pension of one-third salary at age sixty-five is not at all generous.

3. This appears to be a very special case and I have not heard of any bank pension being increased by anything approaching 50 per cent.

4. Bank officials' salaries above a certain point are certainly not increased as a matter of age—any responsible position is granted by selection only and then carries a salary increase.

5. Ships' officers are in an entirely different category to bank officials—their jobs in any case are 'all found,' for long periods, and, moreover, in steward and other grades, no doubt carry substantial gratuities.

In conclusion, many private firms, working in conjunction with insurance companies, carry very excellent pension schemes.—Yours faithfully,

MILLS

27 Burghley Road, St. Andrews Park, Bristol 6