TELEPHONE WIRE AND EQUIPMENT

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23361, 21 June 1941, Page 3

TELEPHONE WIRE AND EQUIPMENT

DOMINION SHORTAGE

SUPPLY DIFFICULTIES

OUTLINED

A statement on the difficulty faced by the Post and Telegraph Department because of dwindling supplies of telephone equipment has been made by the Director-General (Mr J. G. Young) in reply to an inquiry by “The Press.” "Since the outbreak of war the Post Office has been experiencing increasing difficulty in procuring from overseas telephone exchange equipment and line-construction materials,” Mr Young states in an outline of the position. “Generally, the material required to provide telephone service in New Zealand cannot be manufactured in this country, and as this type of equipment- is not manufactured in exportable quantities in Australia, South Africa or India, the only existing available sources of supply are the United Kingdom, Canada and the United, States of America. “Unfortunately, the amount of suitable equipment available for export from England is limited. As a direct result of the war, the Home consumption of telephone material has risen enormously, while in addition, manufacturing difficulties are being experienced owing to certain esseqtial raw materials being diverted to war industries.” “Non-essential Works Deferred” “The rate of supply from Canada and the United States has, to date, not been sufficient to offset the falling off in the supplies normally received from the United Kingdom, while there has been no compensating reduction in the demand for telephone service in New Zealand. With the object of conserving existing supplies of materials, therefore, all non-essential works have .been deferred indefinitely. In addition, the existing plant is being utilised to the maximum extent, In order to provide hew connexions. It is found, frequently, that the saving of appreciable quantities of material can be effected by providing party-line service on existing lines as an alternative to erecting new circuits for individual connexions, and this method of effecting economy is resorted to whenever practicable. Automatic Switching Equipment, “As distinct from the shortage of line material, the automatic switching equipment in some city exchanges is filled to capacity, and, for this reason, it has been necessary to compile waiting lists. It is doubtful whether new switching equipment can be procured while the war lasts, and it is unlikely, therefore, that any relief will be provided in these areas for some considerable time. The switching position in the Christchurch automatic exchange is, however, very satisfactory, and the equipment available will meet normal requirements for a number of years. “The department is, of course, exploring every avenue with a view to obtaining regular supplies of telephone equipment and line construction material, and while the position can be stated to be reasonably satisfactory, in view of, the general uncertainty regarding shipments, it is not possible to make any definite statement as to the department’s future ability to provide telephone service, particularly in the event of the war continuing for some time.” !