THE RADIO TELEPHONE

Evening Star, Issue 23324, 21 July 1939, Page 13

THE RADIO TELEPHONE

AN EXPANDING SERVICE The use of the radio telephone for communication between New Zealand, Australia, the United Kingdom, and the Continent of Europe showed a satisfactory degree of expansion during the 12 months ended June 30, the 3,681 calls bandied showing an increase of over 40 per cent.,,or 1,065 conversations, compared with the previous year. The calls to and from the United Kingdom were 288 in number. It is in the exchange of messages between New Zealanders and Australians that the overseas radio telephone service finds its greatest st'ope. The rate for calls to Australia was reduced in July, 1938, to 10s pep minute, with a minimum of 30s. Public response to this reduction was a- marked increase in the use of the facilities, a comparison of the total calls handled between these points forthe'quarter ended June 30 in three successive years/ showing that the business < has now almost

Totals 325 '335. 616 The radio telephone maintained its popularity as a means of communication for passengers on the transtasman liner Awatea, the calls numbering 783 for the year.

>u bifid. Tb e details ai • 1937. e as ioi , 1938. ;uws;-^ 1939.April , ... 101 . .95 190 May ... 100 100 : 249 June ; , ... 124 , 140 ■ 177