The Pahiatua Star (Published Tuesdays and Fridays.) TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 1887.

Pahiatua Star and Eketahuna Advertiser, Volume 2, Issue 125, 6 September 1887, Page 2

The Pahiatua Star (Published Tuesdays and Fridays.) TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 1887.

At the Hoad Hoard meeting on Saturday, Mr Miller brought forward a question of great interest to all who have money dealings with the Hoard, ami that was with reference to opening an account with the Hank of New /calami at Woodvllle. At present all the banking business of the Hoard is done with the Hank of New Zealand at Masterton, and nearly every clici/ne issued is subjected to that most objectionable exchange tax, which of late lots 111-I ll brought to such u state of perfeetion by the various banks throughout the colony that the wonder is dividends do not reach u higher percentage. However, we digress. Mr Miller pointed out that persons drawing cheques from the Hoard were not only taxed before they could get their money, but were in many eases put to considerable iucoiivemuuce in getting their chetpies cashed ; and in order to simplify matters he moved that in addition to the Masterton account, one be opened a; Woodville for the convenience of tl lose 1 laving dealings w ith tin Hoard in this district. For our own purl we do not care a tig where the Hoard keeps its account, but many complaints having been made to us of tin- injustice of compelling conttactors and others to take exchange-bearing cheques when it could be avoided, we deem it a duty to make h few remarks on the subject, 'l'lie arguments used agiunst opening an account at Woodville were rather fur-fetcliod, to our uutid one being that it would cause a complication m the clerfr’s accounts, and another that whilst the manager

>f the bank at Masterton paused l! r > ’_h certain cheques drawn in favor of tlio Hoard free of exchange, the Manager at Woodvilie would levy the tax ; that is to say, that each manager runs the concern as he pleases, and not in accordance with any sot rule. We cannot accept this as an excuse, as if the manager at Masterton is permitted to grant certain concessions, then it is only reasonable to sup pose the same could be asked of and be granted by the manager at Woodville. Hut here is another peculiarity in the objection offered by some members of the Hoard. The manager at Woodville would tax certain cheques paid to the Hoard’s credit; this, it was affirmed, would be a lobs to the Hoard. Hut no hood was taken of tlio statement that contractors and others were continually being taxed because the Hoard kept its account at Masterton. The Board pays away a considerable amount of money during a year, and from almost every cheque issued a certain amount goes to swell tlio profits of the banking institution, and is taken directly out of the pockets of the working man. Banks make quite enough without our lending them a hand, and we do not think the hardworking man should be compelled to give one slnllilig (and in some cases more) every now and again to enrich those who are rich enough. There is not a doubt in our minds that the Board should keep an account nearer homo; it would be more satisfactory to itself and the public.