P. AND T. INNOVATIONS

Hawera Star, Volume L, 17 April 1930, Page 11

P. AND T. INNOVATIONS

LATE EDITION

POPULARISING THE SERVICE COMMERCIAL BRANCH FORMED BETTER. TELEPHONE FACILITIES. CBy Telegraph—Press Association.) ROTORUA, April 17. The following official communication has been issued by Sir Joseph Ward (Postmaster-General) : . ~ “The application of business principles to State enterprise is about to be further extended in the Post and Telegraph Department by the establishmeut of a commercial branclj. At the outset of its activities the commercial branch will bo confined to the telephone service. Broadly, the function of the branch will, he promoting a more extensive use of the telephone, fostering and maintaining the cordial relations between the department and the sections of the community which it serves, and planning and promoting health)’, well-balanced developments of the telephone; service to ensure its .continuance as a self-supporting unit of the department. “In carrying out these functions personal contact with subscribers* and prospective subscribers will play a most important part. The commercial branch, will make a. close study of the telephone requirements of all classes of the community, and business agents will seek -out and supply prospective subscribers with full particulars of the various classes of telephone services available, and will assist generally in erecting the class o[ service best suited to individual requirements. Subscribers will bo fully informed also of the extensive toll facilities that exist for the community with subscribers in distant- towns, and of various auxiliary " services and miscellaneous items of equipment which the department has to offer in the shape of automatic and semi-automatic inter-community systems, extension telephones, extension bells, loud sounding gongs, etc., together with the terms and conditions under which such services may be obtained. “In short, salesmanship will largely supplant the method of ‘order taking’ that prevailed in the past. In the execution of these plans the closest com-, petition will exist between the commercial and engineering staffs, so that the utmost promptitude and satisfaction will be given in regard to installation work, and that additional requirements in plant will be: made available at the proper time. “With a view to making more attractive the terms under which a telephone service may be obtained, a system is being introduced • under which new as well as existing subscribers may, if they so desire, pay their telephone rental monthly in advance, instead of half-yearly in advance, as at present. Subscribers who elect to pay monthly will receive on or about a certain date each: month a. combined rental and toll account, the effect of which will be that the due date of payment of rental l and toll fees will coincide, the rental (y being paid one month in advance with , the preceding month’s toll fees. “It is expected that the system of monthly payments will bring the telephone services within the reach of thousands of residents who find it inconvenient to nay half-yearly. It is not unlikely also that this method, of payment will appeal .to a large number of existing subscribers. The schedule of rates for the monthly payments, is now being prepared. “It also has been arranged to extend during the summer months Sunday and holiday exchange attendance at a number of seaside tourist resorts (such as Eastbourne, Piet-on, Helensville, Akaroa and Quenstown, which, on Sun-] days and holidays, have a large community of interest with the important city or centre nearby and which, in the past, hare had only a very’ limited attendance during week-ends. “Other innovations will be introduced from time to time with a view to giving more personal service and further the popularising of the telephone as a menus of communication, and enabling subscribers generally to obtain the greatest possible benefit from their telephone installations.’’ l