PENALISED BACKBLOCKS AGAIN

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 186, 26 April 1918, Page 7

PENALISED BACKBLOCKS AGAIN

Sir,—Fin 1 bo 'i t from my wish and those for whom I write—Urn residents, business people, and sett-lei's of Akitio County— to raiso any difficulties in times like ilie present. Akitio Cijnnty, however, feels that it has a very real grievance, and one that calls l'or not only some explanation, but for -urgent relief. Pongaroa is the eounty town'of Akitio, and in the heart ;if the county aud progressive district. A few yours ago tho Bank of Now Zealand opened a branch, and built a substantial building. Its business has steadily increased as the district nourished. Now, on the pretext, "depletions of stafl on account of war," a i'ew days' notice lias been given that the bank branch will 100 closed, and all accounts transferred to Pahiatua. "Vo quite appreciate that the bank stall's liavo done their share, and wo do not wish to handicap them 1 in any way, but what is inexplicable is that tho directors liavo notfully gauged our position. Wo aro '10 miles from any.-town with a bank, one mail service was recently, discontinued. Tho roads are such that in tho -winter it ia diliicult to get out. What is further inexplicable is that small townships of no more importance than this, but which have tho advantage of being within a few milos of larger centres and with easy access, either by rail or road, aro still retained. It also appears that these small townships coiuu bo equally well served from the jargor towns.. Tho bank, howovor, deems it wiser or fairer to retain, these branches beeauso thero aro other banks in theso towns, whilst we who liavo no other bank hero are notified that we musi do without. Is it any wonder that tho people of this county feel that wo in tho backblocks aro being sacrificed for the larger towns and llioso having botter facilities? Many of oui settlers will now have to cover nearly sixty miles to get to a bank. ■Surely, Sir, this is a matter which should bo placed before tho Efficiency Board to deal with, and wo urgo that we have just reason for bringing before the people of tho country, through tho medium of your valuable paper, tho scanty treatment which tho directors of tho Bank of Now Zealand ire meting out to poopie in the bock-blocks. Akitio County has responded liberally in the past to all appcala for money and men. We ou,t horo suffer difficulties which aro not fully appreciated by townsmen, who now claim tho right to disregard our needs. Telegrams have beon sont to tho Primo Minister and to tho local members of Parliament invoking tlioir assistance. A largely-attended meeting of business men, setticrs, and residents was hold 011 tho 22nd, when strong and omphalic protests were made against_ the injustico now being dono. A petition is being largely signed, and a deputation will shortly bo sent to Wellington with the sume.—l- am, etc., ' A. DICKINS, President, Chamber of Commerce. l'ongaroa, April 23.