RECORD TELEPHONE BUSINESS

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21904, 3 October 1936, Page 7

RECORD TELEPHONE BUSINESS

NEW ZEALAND SUBSCRIBERS NOW TOTAL 133,460* [THE PRESS Special Service.] WELLINGTON, October 2. "The highest number of telephone subscribers ever recorded in the history of New Zealand was reached on September 30 with a total of 133,460,” said the Postmaster-General (the Hon. F. Jones) to-day. “The highly satisfactory growth in the telephone branch," said the Minister, “is another indication of the steady, progress of the Dominion out of the last economic depression, the influence of which oh this branch of the department’s business was to cause the loss of 10,385 subscribers, or approximately 8 per cent., the lowest total, 122,470, being reached in July, 1933. “How quickly and completely the telephone branch of the department has recovered is proved by the fact that the highest point of pre-depres-sion years—l32,Bss. in December, 1930 —has now been passed with 605 to spare. During the present year the monthly increase in subscribers has averaged 645, but September was distinctive with the greatest monthly net increase on record. “If the present progress is maintained, the Dominion,” concluded the Postmaster-General “may yet soon improve upon the high position which it holds in telephonic use in comparison with other countries in the world. New Zealand’s position at the present time is fourth, with more than 10 telephones in use for each 100." of population. It is headed only by the' United States of America, Canada, and Denmark.”