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Page 6 The Claringion/Courtiee Independent. Bowmanvillc. Saturday. April 25. I99S MR Objects to Banks 7 "Marriage 77 With the announced TD-CIBC merger last Friday it seems all the banks arc getting married. I guess Spring really is eternal. It begs the question is bigger better and what docs this mean for the people people of Durham? The banks tell us you have to be bigger today just to be a world player, to keep up with changing technology and moreover, to reduce administrative costs in order to be competitive. competitive. After the nuptials are concluded, the contract's small print will reveal lower administrative costs means reducing jobs But after the nuptials arc concluded the marriage marriage contract's small print will reveal that lower j; administrative costs means £ reducing jobs. That's very treal for the people of t Durham. [ What we don't hear is [that TD's top gun, Charlie •Baillie, or C1BC boss A1 jFlood, arc going to be unemployed. The logical conclusion anyway would [be why two CEOs? [ . But we know it's the >tellers and others at the [bottom of the corporate ijfood chain, who were jilt- lied on the way to the altar, jj Will all this lowering of [costs and improvements in fitechnology be transferred [to the customer? Or is it iikely to just increase corporate corporate profits and the millions millions of dollars that go into [Compensation packages <or bank executives? -- Canadian bank service [charges are among the [lowest in the world. And [this is prior to merger. So [flow is it that they are likely likely to fall further? > v:-.Banks in Holland have- [already restructured their [financial services sector, [just as we are doing now. And bank charges went up. As the government's task force winds its way across the country posing questions to the public sonic points become imminently clear. First, if we didn't think we had much power before when sitting across from bank managers and there was limited competition then, consumers are going to have even less power after merger. Secondly, if mergers continue how will consumers, consumers, small and medium-sized medium-sized business owners and others be protected? Thirdly, what about tied selling? It works like this. I'll give you a bank loan but you better buy your mutual funds and. life insurance here. Fourthly, what about bank closures in rural communities? That's going to be on the minds of people over the next few months. We can't force banks to deliver service service if they no longer think it viable. But we can demand they take us all along in'the move toward more efficient banking. Not all of us take to electronic banking easily. Some dread the idea of using an automated teller machine. But it's not good enough to give up on customers customers who have been loyal for a good number of years. These are all legitimate concerns.- Government should force banks, at the bank's cost, to provide training and communicate to customers how new banking technology works so all customers arc comfortable comfortable using it. I am working toward strengthening the office of the bank ombudsman - which was set up to take complaints about banks - in order to level the playing playing field between consumers consumers and these corporate corporate giants. I believe there should be hefty fines for corporate malfeasance. And a corporate corporate watchdog working for the "little guy".and hot-just Î one to ensure corporate solvency like we", have now. So you can sec there is something still unresolved about bank merging. When the preacher says does anyone object to this marriage I'll say I do. We need more answers and more iron clad assurances before we give this union our blessins. Parliamentary Report by Alex Shepherd HOW OPEN Watch for our Grand Opening Thursday, April 30th at 9:1 $ a.m. Ribbon cutting with Mayor Diane Hamre Join Adam and Colin and discuss all your computer needs. "Professionals that speak your language" SALES & SERVICE of IBM, PC compatible systems Upgrades • Consulting • Installation In house and on site service available Hours: Mon. - Sat. 10 a.m. - 6 p.m, Z I King Street Corner of Church St. and King St. W. Newcastle (90S) 987-3047 Fax: 987-1649 Toll Free 1-877-987-1647 April 15th - May 2nd Niger Seed 50 lb. $39.98 10 lb, $11.98 Finch Feed 50 lb. $29.98 10 lb. $6.29 Bragg'» Best Buy > - Mixed Bird Seed 20 kg, $9.50 "Black Sunflower 50 lb. $14.78. Also available -J< I ^320 kg. 25-5-5 Slow Release Fertilize \V $13.49 i $ , - 32 / |b ' .1 DUNN'S in the Oshawa Centre MI9Ü «5 ),wXuM.W.« • V VÀ ; j II fi if t< : ' {!< 1 f V fv n Ml , VA/ wi.y.MH' ' D.nJxL^ji^vhvb) : &»}'■ x/ / j ( i.vj//..'... ' toXhi • WwûtiilâMIMi !$$$: $0W6WM(iM ■■ icm ■ • 'Jr. ' • " " j 'W vV : ; ' ItM V. 'Ill* ■: z: 1:4 .. » tVvV !, ûï) <•' / '•>' X"' ifi il ■ *<iAi X-'/ix--/U< ,4 *))/ f.Y// if; ■! 1", A j . " . X. . : • . XWjiiiicXr;'ihv; I'illlei-' . ' ' Dunn's Carry Boys'Suits $J /0 )Q QÇ Sizes 16,18 and 20 J- DUNN'S Tailors - Oshawa Centre Across from Reitmans A SIZE FOR EVERY MAN ttfm KAMSTRA CARDEN CENTRE Specializing in high quality nursery stock, trees and bedding plants. VIGOR! DO IT YOURSELF 3-STEP PROFESSIONAL) - LAWN CARE PROGRAM Ask us how you can save $18.00 on your fertiliz er program! Pansies Perennials have arrived! See our large 4 pack selection of all $1 1 oo af ! at X x. (48 plants) your favourites. TREES TREES TREES Sunburst Locust 8 - io' $ 49.95 10-12' $ 69.95 Balsam Fir 3 -5 $ 29.95 Ask about our Tree Planting Service Assorted Soil, Peat, Nursery Stock Loam, Manure Spirca, Euonymous, Pocencilla 5b ags no $ 9" Ask how you can get your FREE bag of soil. ■ WW ■ ■ ■ SUNDAY 12:00-5:00 llll I Fl P MON. TO FRI. 10:00-9:00 WE CARRY SUIT SIZES FROM 31 TO 52 SATURDAY 9:30-6:00 We Carry a Large Selection of Bulk Grass Seed. KAMSTRA CARDEN CENTRE (^^46^Tauntoi^dJE^3shaw<^79 X | r \ ; V i L -l j ! \ 1 i : \ i 1 ! . i ! C\l. . X - )'■ f. [ ! -A V / r:: \v 7 n 4 ■p'K'<T -, ■! ' I-;-- IJ: .... I'M-v..' 1 ; ..'i Our "Overstocked Inventory Sale" was a great success we moved over 80 NEW vehicles in March! THE FACTORY SHIPPED US OVER 100 MORE -1 \ „\ o V  O: J ; y r-4 I <r „ - -.: - y , , \ , f e A ril ' ||j \ -■ r v y :Ss X < x V /T\ i ZTi tH'I - A H - ™ f A - X;( A V _ c ::i \„„A ,./ : 1 Tj k .JV. J z„. m - v'.-vY'i) 'fpj ,tv> FINANCING FINANCING LEASING FROM FROM RATES 1 : : f ! ! ' , fl f ■ ■ ) '/ : - ;; c FROM S-10, BLAZERS. LUMINAS, CAVALIERS, lx:.) C3:>;::7 /cy TRACKERS MONTE CARLO'S CAVALIERS ! ; ï !! )| : ,X' J1 f i i h \ i I ' | H I \ V V 1 l! ! /, ! i I l i ' v : -, \ . ( -X "X. L r .) nl ° )l u , II (Tv-'.i:4 ! A \ . / 7 x ;v LOW! LOW! PRICES! • HIGH TRADE-IN ALLOWANCES OVER 200 NEW VEHICLES IN STOCK MO BETTER TINE TO PURCHASE OR LEASE />W-,> ' I ( y'J^*{'■ \<V' \C A<-\"l vV ' { : , ...} ; I! I ! 11 1, -, 1-1 v '1 .1 II. I 1 , II. 1 ill < 'i ! Ilf! i -I <HI -I il ! |i||i . Hwy. #2 ■d Œ cc Roy | . 4) o « Nichols Motors t 3 N it ♦ 3 O o