A DAY ON THE ESTIMATES

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 275, 14 August 1920, Page 8

A DAY ON THE ESTIMATES

POST AND TELEGRAPH CHARGES

COUNTRY TELEPHONE LINES

Tho Houso of Representatives went into Committee on the Estimates at 3 p.m. yesterday, and had a lengthy sitting. The votes for tho Post and Telegraph Department wero taken first, and membeT6 discussed them for six hours. Mr. Holland, leader of tho Labour Party, moved a reduction of £1 m a protest against- tho increase of post and telegraph charges. The Postmaster-General explained that the increases were absolutely necessary in order to cover largely increased expenditure, duo chiefly to additions to salaries, and after two hours' discussion the amendment was rejected by 51 votes to 6.

A long debate followed on the subject of telephones. City members opened the subject by protesting against the increase in suburban telephone charges, and Mr. Mitchell (Wellington South) moved a reduction of £1 as an indication that the new scale should be revised. The country members were emphatic in urging that the farmers wore being charged too much for telephones, and this subject occupied the House until 11 p.m. The Postmaster-General agreed that tho rates were high, and told members that he hoped to improve matters later. He was prepared to reconsider the details of the new scale of charges at any time—but in tho meantime he must have tho money.

After 11 p.m. the Committee began to vote money in a hurry. The votes for public buildings and maintenance of roiids were passed in a few minutes. Then camo the Native Department votes, and the House adjourned at 11.30 p.m.