TELEPHONE CHARGES.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XII, Issue 99, 5 April 1922, Page 2

TELEPHONE CHARGES.

DECREASE, NOT INCREASE,

WANTED.

N APTER-W ELLINGTON COMMU iVIUATION.

The Wellington Chamber of Commerce met on Monday under the presidency of Mr. J. T. Martin, when correspondence was received from Invercargill Chamber of Commerce protesting against the proposed increase in telephone charges, and asking the co-operation of the Wellington Chamber.

The hon. secretary (Mr. Vickery) said lie had been in communication with the Post and Telegraph Department. and was informed that the figures which had been published were not official.

Mr. Bennett said he did not think there was any proposal before the Government.

The chairman remarked that if any effort was made by the Post and Telegraph Department to increase the present charges, which were admittedly high, there would be strong opposition from the commercial people of the country. Telegraph rates and other charges were excessively high at the present time, and the commercial community were looking for a reduction rather than an increase.

NAPIER SADLY NEGLECTED.

Captain Peterson said it had been suggested that there should be two charges—one for commercial users and another for private lines. He would like to call attention to the need for communication between Wellington and Napier in the daytime. It was possible to get messages to Wanganui and Dannevirke, but it stopped there. It was a very necessary thing for Napier, and why it should be held back fie did not know. He had not had an opportunity of speaking with Mr. Shrimpton, but he would like the chamber to press for something to be done for Napier, which had been sadly neglected. It was decided to make representations to the department on the subj<*ut of contmunication to Napier, and to make inquiries regarding the reported proposed increases in the telephone charges.