The principle of fixed annual increments between the minimum and maximum rates, which applies to every grade except Officers-in-Charge and Branch Managers, prevents the Committee exercising their discretion, and operates unfairly as between one officer and another. Consequently, the Sub-Committee recommend the abandonment of such principle except as regards Grade A. The result will be that increments between minimum and maximum rates will be at the discretion of the Committee with the exception of Grade A (Males). In awarding increments, the Sub-Committee consider that in addition to taking into account the quality of the service and the conduct of the officer, regard should be had to the progress at examinations and the length of service.

The Sub-Committee are also of opinion that for Grade B (Females) the qualification should be Advanced Book-keeping Certificate and passing the Qualifying Examination of the Institute of Bankers; and that for Grade C (Females) the qualification should be Advanced Book-keeping Certificate and passing Part One of the syllabus of the Institute, with exceptions in the case of Shorthand-Typists and officers who have been exempted from examinations on the ground of age. The case of Branch Managers whose studies in connection with the Institute of Bankers are not yet completed has been met by way of limitation of salary.

As the conditions of service have altered since the present Grading Scheme was adopted, ie, the change from Saturday to Friday evening duty, the Bank staff more nearly approach the general service conditions of the Corporation, and therefore the remuneration should be more in keeping with the General Scales. At the same time, however, the Sub-Committee consider the responsible character of the employment, the awkward hours of duty, and the fact that officers must be changed from one branch to another from time to time, justify the suitable distinction being made between the Bank scales and the general Corporation scales. This distinction the Sub-Committee have sought to make by their proposals.

In a few cases it would constitute a hardship to bring the new proposals into operation right away, but nevertheless, the Bank Sub-Committee are of opinion that the proposals should be adopted as and from the 1st April 1933, and to meet the cases referred to it should be agreed that the officers concerned should continue at their present salaries for a period of two years, so as to give them opportunities to qualify. If they fail to qualify within that period, their salaries should then be reduced to the maximum amount for the appropriate grade.

The present Bank scales of salaries, Corporation general scales, and the new Bank scales recommended are as follows:

The following transfers in the Grading Scheme are recommended, the present terms of engagement to continue in force:

The following officers to be allowed two years from the 31st July next, at their present salaries, in which to qualify; failure to qualify within the period to result in their salaries being reduced to the rate for the appropriate grades:

The following promotions are recommended:

Miss Morrison (General Manager's Confidential Clerk)

From Grade D to Ex-Grade, and to receive a merit increase of £10 at 1st April 1933.

Miss Carver (Assistant General Manager's Typist)

From Grade B to Grade C, and to receive an increase of £10 at 1st April 1933 to bring her to the minimum rate for the grade.

Miss McLean (Senior Typist, House Purchase Department)

From Grade B to Grade C, and to receive an increase of £10 at 1st April 1933, and a further £5 at 1st April 1934, to bring her to the minimum rate for the grade.

J Hastie (Now qualified as a Branch Manager)

From Grade D to Grade E, and to receive annual increments of £30, £25, £25, and £15 commencing from the 1st April 1933, which will bring him to the minimum rate for the grade.

J Manners - same as J Hastie.

E J Cope (Now qualified as a Branch Manager)

From Grade D to Grade E, and to receive annual increments of £30 and £25 commencing from the 1st April 1933, which will bring him to the minimum rate for the grade.

N G Yardley (Chief Accountant)

From Grade E to Grade F, and to receive annual increments of £30, £30, £30, and £25 commencing from the 1st April 1933, which will bring him to the minimum rate for the grade.

W Buxton - same as N G Yardley.

C H Massey (From Cashier to Branch Manager)

From Grade C to Grade E, and to receive annual increments of £40, £40, £40, £40, £40, and £35 commencing from the 1st April 1933, which will bring him to the minimum rate for the grade.

E A Howlett (Assistant to Chief Accountant, and qualified)

From Grade A to Grade C, and to receive annual increments of £30, £30, £30, £30, and £20 commencing from the 1st April 1933, which will bring him to the minimum rate for the grade.

With regard to Inspectors, your Sub-Committee have come to the conclusion that five Inspectors, as at present, are not necessary, although in the early days of the Bank such a number was found to be necessary. It is therefore recommended to reduce the number to two, and to continue Messrs Woodcock and Lambeth in such posts. The scale for Inspectors provides for a commencing salary of £585 rising by alternate yearly increments of £15 to £660, but your Sub-Committee do not consider it desirable to have scales for such officers, and recommend the abandonment of the existing scale. Messrs Woodcock and Lambeth are receiving £570 rising to £600, and it is not proposed to disturb these agreements, but any further increase would be at the discretion of the Committee. In the case of Mr Cheatle (now receiving £590 rising to £600), your Sub-Committee do not recommend any change in his terms of remuneration, and agree to his continuing to act as an Inspector until the new Head Offices are ready, when he would assume the duties and responsibilities of Custodian of the Safe Deposit Department. In the cases of Messrs Bennett and Chapman, who would no longer be required as Inspectors, your Sub-Committee recommend that they be employed as special Branch Managers to take over the control of a branch for a period and report to the General Manager thereon. This work they have been carrying out for some time, and it has been found helpful in securing uniformity of working and general administration. Mr Bennett, who is receiving £590, has passed five subjects out of ten in connection with the Institute of Bankers, and Mr Chapman, who is receiving £570, has passed four subjects. It is recommended that these officers be treated as Ex-Scale, and that their present remuneration shall be the maximum amount payable to them unless they qualify as Associates of the Institute of Bankers, in which case increments would be at the discretion of the Committee.

With regard to Controllers, the existing Ex-Grade scale provides for a commencing salary of £675 rising by alternate yearly increments of £25 to a maximum of £800. Each of the four Controllers is receiving £700, and they are entitled to an increase of £25 at the 1st April 1933. Your Sub-Committee do not consider it desirable to have scales for Ex-Grade officers, and they recommend the abandonment of the present scale. They do not advise withholding the increase to which the officers are entitled in April next, but they do recommend that any further increase should be at the discretion of the Committee.

Your Sub-Committee further recommend that the General Manager be instructed to grade the various officers in accordance with the new scales and the recommendations made above, and to notify those affected by any change in the terms.