TELEPHONE RATES.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 47, 24 February 1923, Page 14

TELEPHONE RATES.

'To tlie Ktlltiir i Sir.—-The poor attendance ut the Chamber of Commerce to hear the alleged explanation of the necessity for raising the telephone rates shows that this body is not the right body to consult. In a private business if the balance-sheet shows a loss, two things are carefully examined, tirst. the volume of business done, then the efficiency or inefficiency of the management. A private concern can raise its charge* and leave the public to pay them or trade elsewhere, but a government monopoly is quite a different thing. It is said that the Department is Uwing money mi the present rental-, but even if I his is th<- case, there may be some other remedy than increased rentals. Some months ago my 'phone was out of iirder (not an uncommon happening) ■i.l in all six men made calls and spent ■:ie trying to put the matter right. la>i the instrument was replaced. !ie-c men are all paid wages, and it' iheii- time is spent ill >o unproductive m in-inner is it any wonder that the svsii-in docs not pay? It would be lnI en-sting to know how many persons mc employed, what each one is paid, and what service each one renders. I would suggest that a meeting of telephone subscribers be called and n committee of business men. representing the many trades, professions, and businesses interested. be set. up, this committee to be supplied with the full details necessary to make a thorough businesslike examination of the running of the whole svstern: then after conference with similar committees throughout S-w Zealand present a report to Parliament, and that no increase in rentals take place until authorised by Parliament. There is also the matter of the toll system. This does not find much favour, but it seems that there is something to be said for it. for the 'nhone that gets the most use brings in the most revenue. There can be little said ill favour ef a system that charges £fl for a 'phone in the city, which must be answered every five minutes, and £I."> for one in the suburbs, used about Once each hour. Then there is tlie private house 'phone. Here, clearly the toll system with a nominal minimum rental would be most fair to all parties.— I am, etc., CI VIS.