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Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 177, 28 July 1928, Page 11

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TELEPHONE AND TELEGRAPH. ROOK FOR DEVELOPMENT. DEPARTMENTAL EXPERT REPORTS (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, Friday. "On the whole it can safely be said that in many cases the New Zealand automatic installations compare more than favourably with those in other countries, and it can confidently be predicted that the methods employed in the installation, and the care given to details by our engineers and mechanicians will reflect themselves in the efficient operation of a reliable service to the public at a comparatively low cost of maintenance," says Mr. A. Gibbs, chief telegraph engineer, in a special report presented to Parliament to-day. The report covers the results of his investigations into the recent development of telegraph and telephone engineering in Europe and America, and gives an outline of trend of modern developments and their bearing upon New Zealand communication practice, present and prospective. Mr. Gibbs states that New Zealand's principal centres, with the exception of Christchurch, have been converted to the rotary automatic telephone system, and the Christchurch installation is well under way. This particular type of automatic system has been manufactured to a large extent in Belgium. Apart from two small exchanges in the United Kingdom giving a very satisfactory service, its use is confined mainly to the' Continent, where it is undergoing a considerable extension. The system is being highly developed to meet the most exacting needs of telephone communities. In fundamental circuits and principles it is related closely to the "panel" system now being introduced by the American Telephone and Telegraph Company for use in the largest, cities of the United States by its associated Bell Telephone Companies. While the "panel" system has certain inherent advantages for inter-connection of networks .consisting of a large number of full-siaed branch exchanges, the rotary system provides at a much lower cost the same advantages for cities comparable to those found in this country. "My investigation into the present state of the rotary system and its extension on the Continent enables me to state that this system, which was adopted for the four principal cities, as well as four of our smaller centres, is fully competent to' give the highest grade of automatic telephone service to our urban communities,' Mr. Gibbs says. "The same can equally be said of the gpmewbat smaller automatic installa-

tions which have been provided in other parts of New Zealand, and which belong to what is technically known as the 'step by step' system, which originated in the United States and has extended to all parts of the world." Advertising Methods. Dealing with the commercial and traffic aspects of telegraphy, Mr. Gibbs says that striking methods are adopted to advertise and popularise the use of the telegraph in Canada and the U.S.A., in which countries • efficient and profitable results are consistently obtained. There is a great use of automatic methods of operation. Mr. Gibbs adds: "One point was frankly conceded by the experts of these successful organisations, that no telegraph system, however efficient, could be made to pay its way at a rate of 9d for twelve words (including address and signature) over any part of a territory approximating one thousand miles from north to south. In this criticism I am forced to concur."

In the Chrysalis Stage. "Although much has been accomplished in New Zealand in the introduction of automatic telephone exchanges and the like, we are still in the chrysalis stage of long-distance telephone development, and in many instances the quality of telephone service given falls considerably short of that maintained in the leading telephone countries of the world. The full development of our toll facilities in New Zealand itself is r.ot a simple economic problem. We are faced with the provision of telephone service between points which are not only remote but sparsely populated. Such problems can be met only by considering the communication system as a whole, and by' a judicious expenditure upon development. Upon the careful studies of future expansion now being planned, and the policy adopted in relation thereto will depend in a large measure the position of New Zealand in relation to the forward movements that are clearly discernible, and the quality and range of telephonic communication that will ultimately be possible. A short-sighted policy at this stage would throw back the advancement of the art in this country, and seriously prejudice the sound development of what has now become a worldwide necessitv."