I was right on P.O.s, says Prebble

Press, 18 May 1989, Page 2

I was right on P.O.s, says Prebble

By

PETER LUKE

in Wellington

The former PostmasterGeneral, Mr Richard Prebble, lost no time yesterday in claiming that he was right all along over post office policy. Yesterday a Parliamentary Select Committee urged the Government to subsidise banking services in a few isolated areas. Mr Prebble, the key Minister throughout the saga of post office closings, said the committee had produced an excellent report. It had found clear evidence that closings had caused hardship in some isolated areas, and the Government was able to provide a social subsidy under the State Owned Enterprises Act.

“When I was Minister I gave, on behalf of the Government, assurances

that such cases would be looked at sympathetically and, indeed, I encouraged the select committee to undertake this inquiry.” He said the Government should seek tenders from banks to provide a service to the affected communities. Mr Prebble also said that the closing of more than 600 post offices had been justified. “Postal service in most areas improved significantly, the cost of posting a letter has been held, and delivery, times and reliability improved.” The problems had arisen not in postal services, but in banking, he said.

“Whereas most areas of New Zealand have an abundance of banking facilities, the withdrawal of Postßank from a few rural communities clearly has caused hardship,” Mr Prebble said.