POST OFFICE CHARGES

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27226, 18 December 1953, Page 12

POST OFFICE CHARGES

DEARER BUSINESS TELEPHONES INCREASE ALSO IN TOLL FEES (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, December 17. Increases in Post Office charges would apply only to telephone toll charges and business telephone rentals, said the Postmaster-General (Mr W. J. Broadfoot) today. Residential telephone rentals would remain undisturbed. and there would be no increase in postage rates. Mr Broadfoot said the increases were essential to keep the finances of the department on a reasonable basis. “Fortunately,” he added, “Post Office business is buoyant, and this makes it possible to limit the range of increases. “The increases are estimated to provide additional revenue of £600,000 annually as' against the estimated cost of £1,250,000 per annum resulting from the wage increase.” The altered charges would apply from February 1. The increases were aimed at providing an additional 10 per cent, in revenue from the toll service and from business telephone rental charges. In some cases it might be more, in others less, because of the impracticability of adding 10 per cent, to toll charges such as 3d, 3d, and so on, and the desirability of rounding off telephone rental charges. I ull particulars of the new range of charges would be given by post offices next week. _