TELEPHONES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17989, 16 July 1920, Page 2

TELEPHONES.

DIFFICULTIES OF THE DEPARTMENT. MATERIAL NOT AVAILABLE. (FEOM OUB OWN COBRE3posdent.) WELLINGTON, July 14. The Postmaster-General was asked by Mr A. D. M'Leod (Wairarapa) recently whether he could give country settlers anv indication when tho necessary material for telephone extension would be available. Mr (Joates replied that only a limited quantity of material is available for the construction of telephone extensions, which are being proceeded with in the order of priority of application. Wire and other line materials are in short supply, owing to the inability of the manufacturers to cope with the heavy demands that have been made upon them, both before and since the termination of the war, and owing also to shipping difficulties. Thore are large quantities of the various classes of material under order, but the manufacturing and shipping difficulties make it impossible for the department to say when thoy will be delivered. In this respect New Zealand is only sharing the difficulties experienced by nearly all other countries in the world. The department has done ; and is doing, everything possible to facilitate the supply of materials to meet the demands for extensions in the : various districts. The supply of poles from Australia. Has been practically cut off since 1917, owing to shipping troubles. Recently arrangements were made to charter special vessels to carry the poles, and already 5000 poles have been landed at central porta for distribution. It is expected that a further shipment of 7000 poles will be landed within a fortnight. It may be mentioned that the chief telograph engineer, who ia now en route to England, will pay special attention to the question of early deliveries of all materials under order. The following indicates tfio number of new subscribers connected during tho yearn ended March 31 1918, 1919. and 1920 respectively For the year ended March 31, 1918, 7500 new subscribers were connected; the jwir ended March 31, 1919 6350 new subscribers were connected; and for the year ended March 31, 1920, 9100 now ettbecribers wero connected.