PENALISED BACKBLOCKS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 9955, 26 April 1918, Page 2

PENALISED BACKBLOCKS

A COMPLAINT FROM PONGAROA

SETTLERS ' PROTEST AGAINST CLOSING OF BANK.

Feeling against the closing of the bank at.-X’ongaroa is running high throughout Aldtio Country, and business men and settlers feel that a great injustice is being inflicted upon the district by the unfair treatment by the Bank of New Zealand. A largely attended meeting, with representatives from all parts of the county, was held at the own Hall, Pongaroa, on Monday evening. So keenly is the matter felt that the adverse weather did not prevent some coming a considerable distance. Councillor A. Dickins, president of the Chamber. ot Commerce, presided, and stated that tho meeting had been convened for the purpose of protesting against tho unfair, treatment being meted out to the district by the Bank of New Zealand directors. Following a meeting of the Chamber of Commerce telegrams had been despatched to the Prime Minister invoking his assistance towards retaining the bank here, and also to the members of Parliament, Mr G. H. Smith and Mr G. B. Sykes. Telegrams in reply had been received from the latter stating that they had waited upon the general manager of the bank in Wellington without avail. Not even a weekly attendance for one day would ho granted. A petition had been prepared and is being extensively signed all through 1 the county. This will be sent to the Prime Minister, and it is also hoped that a deputation will go to Wellington on the matter. . . . , ~ It is the unanimous opinion that the back blocks are. not being fairly treated. Townships of no more importance than this district, but situated within a few miles .ofvlarget- centres, with easy faoilities fcjr rgac’hing. banks, were still al" lowed" to itfain branches, and it is noticeable" (hat in these, places other banks also' have branches: Where there is no opposition the- public are told they must do .without. Yet many of these places could be managed from a larger town y-ith a weekly or bi-weekly attendance, ’ 'Opinion was expressed that the case was-one for. the■■ Efficiency Board ,to deal with, and; that-vprompt action was necessary- vr Some people will now have to cover nearly .sixty miles for a bank. Small wonder that the back blocks dwellers -say; the - yore sacrificed tor the towns,- when wlmt few facilities they possess are withdrawn; It ’ was unanimously resolved to uige the- -petitions forward, and offers have been received and accepted to cover the whole district with these. Applications from outlying districts have been received for -conies. It was also resolved to ask the County Council to make strong representations on the matter.