Telegraph Charges

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 164, 9 April 1934, Page 11

Telegraph Charges

Sir, —It is beyond my comprehension (lie recent alterations in tlie charges made by the Post and Telegraph Department. How in the name of reason does the department expects to make more revenue by penalising the longer distance towns, when it is in the hands of the business community to “ent” down their messages, or probably instead of sending telegrams away early, decide to wait until later on in the day to embody references to several lines and thus save the extra charge of one penny or twopence or threepence, as the case may be? Then again, the department is inviting really private individuals to spend more money in messages, over shorter areas, but 1 do not think for one moment that .this will have the desired result. The private individual, if he has to send a telegram, will do so whether it costs one shilling or sevenpence, or eightpence or ninepence, but it is not going to make such people spend money on wires because there is a difference, of threepence or fivepence in his or her favour, and therefore from this point of reasoning the department will be losing money. Had it decided to reduce the charge over long distances t 6 ninepence then it would have greatly increased revenue. Take my own business. At a shilling per message I would only send probably three telegrams. but if the charge were reduced to ninepence I would doubtless be willing to dispatch five or six messages. The department, when it is so sanguine it is going to get increased business, apparently has the equipment necessary, but what is it going to do when it will find its revenue cut down 15 per cent, to 20 per cent.? It is foolish to antagonise the business community.—l. am, etc., IMPOSSIBLE TO FOLLOW. Wellington, April 7.