28 February 2001

MP SEEKS POST BANK FOR OXFORD

Waimakariri Labour Member of Parliament Clayton Cosgrove said today that he has written to Elmar Toime, Chief Executive of NZ Post, to attempt once again to get banking facilities for the people of Oxford.

“Before I was elected the Member of Parliament for Waimakariri, I promised the people of Oxford that I would do my utmost to try and get them a local banking facility. It is unfair that residents in rural areas, especially elderly people, have to go to Rangiora before they can get to a bank. Last year I wrote to New Zealand’s major banks and asked them to consider this proposition and they refused,” Mr Cosgrove said.

“Now that NZ Post are planning to establish banking facilities throughout New Zealand, I am going to try again.”

“Oxford deserves a banking facility, or at the very least an ATM machine. In my view, any bank that provided the people of Oxford with such facilities would be widely supported by the community. Banks are an institution with a natural monopoly because we all have to draw on our wages and pensions via a bank, and therefore they have a responsibility to provide services to all members of the community, not just those in metropolitan centres. I look forward to Mr Toime’s response.” Mr Cosgrove said.

ENDS

© Scoop Media