PHENOMENAL DEMAND FOR TELEPHONES IN NEW ZEALAND

Grey River Argus, 29 October 1948, Page 4

PHENOMENAL DEMAND FOR TELEPHONES IN NEW ZEALAND

Nearly Double In Nine Years

P.A. WELLINGTON, October 28. A recent statement in Auckland by Sir Louis Beale, vice-president of the International Standard Electric Corporation, about full telephone equipment, including exchange gear, being manufactured in quantity now for export, was reassuring, but called for some comment, said the PostmasterGeneral, the Hon. F. Hackett, tonight. The post office had, for some time, had outstanding orders in Britain for telephone equipment to the value of just over £3,000,000/ and until the present time, there had been no imorovement in the supplies available to New Zealand. Equipment now coming to hand had been on order for many years. In April, 1946, orders for telephones and exchange equipment valued at £700,000 were outstanding. By September, 1948, further orders for 3,200,000 worth were placed, but deliveries totalled only about £900.000. Before the end of this year, additional orders totalling £600,000 will be placed.

Mr Hackett said that other factors, such as the availability of cable and telephone noles, did affect the position, but. in the last twelve months, pearly 18.000 new telephone connections were made. This was an alltime record, and was achieved in the face of great difficultiesFrom 1939 to the present time, 112,000 new connections were made. There were 41 per cent, more telephones installed in New Zealand today than in 1939. The demand for telephones to-day was phenomenal, and New Zealand’s demand was one of the world’s highest. Mi 1 Hackett said that everything possible was being done for those awaiting Dhones, but the supply difficulties could not be overcome in a short time.

SIR L. BEALE’S STATEMENT Full telephone equipment, including handsets and exchange gear, was being manufactured in quantity in Britain now, and was available for export overseas, said Sir Louis Beale, who was a through passenger on the Aorangi this week. There was no difficulty in obtaining new equipment because of the dollar shortage, as production from English factories had increased and the gear was ready for export. Sir Louis added that when he visited New Zealand three years ago he was given to understand that the shortage of telephones in the country was due to buildings not being available to house the equipment.