The Hawera Star. MONDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1924. MEANS OF COMMUNICATION.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 8 December 1924, Page 4

The Hawera Star.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1924. MEANS OF COMMUNICATION.

Delivered every evening by 5 o'clock in Hawera Manaia, Normanby, Okaiawa, Eltham.. Mangatoki, Kapon'ga, ■ Awatuna, Opunake. Otakeho, Manutahi, Alton, ■ Hurleyville, Patea, Waveriey, Mokoia, Whakamara, Oimngai, Meremere, Fraser Road, and Ararata.

If one follows closely day by day the history, of the world as it appears-in the newspapers one must note the frequency with which reference is made to means for rapid communication. Faster railway and shipping services, aerial communication, and improved cable, telephone and wireless systems are mentioned in almost every issue of the papers, and it is easy to. see that modern life and rapid communications for individuals and nations are very closely linked together. In New Zealand the population has been too small for the speedy development of fast railway and shipping services, but faster means of transport are being prepared and the near future will find notable changes in this direction. As stated in recent issues of the Star, the Minister of Railways has decided upon a faster passenger service on the Main Trunk line, an improvement which will be -welcomed by those, who have to travel frequently on that line. In about two months’ time a new liner capable of a good turn of speed is to enter the. growing service between Australia, New Zealand and America, a notable addition to the ships which trade regularly in New Zealand waters. These improvements in means of travel are worthy of note. But in other means of communication (telegraphic, telephonic and wireless) New Zealand has made splendid progress, and is classed among the leading nations of the world in these respects. The telegraphic system is much ahead of some parts of the British Empire, and in recent years great improvements in telephone communication have been effected. It is possible to communicate by telephone with every large, centre in the Aorth Island, and it is seldom that any difficulty in hearing clearly is experienced. The Department is waiting for material to arrive when the North and South Islands will be brought into better telephonic communication than has hitherto been possible. In some six months it is hoped to have this service ready. Several towns are already using automatic telephones, and in others the system is being installed. Turning to “wonxlerful wireless,” we find that New Zealand is again well to the front, amateurs having established records in communicating over long distances, performances which are most creditable to them and which are highly praised by people overseas. Such progress by a young country in its various means of communication is very satisfactory. It. indicates that the 'people are am-

bitious and intelligent, and that there is a desire that the Dominion should keep up to date in the modern science of communications. While Government and people maintain that keenness New Zealand is bound to progress, and the higher the standard reached in the various means of communication the more attractive will the country be to people overseas, among whom the Dominion is becoming better known each vear.