Big Demand for Telephones in City

Manawatu Times, Volume 70, Issue 269, 14 November 1945, Page 6

Big Demand for Telephones in City

That there were from 400 to 500 recorded applications for telephone connections in Palmerston North, was reported to the Palmerston North Chamber of Commerce last night by the Chief Postmaster, Mr. AI. R. Aldridge. He was answering a statement that the lack of telephones was holding up business expansion and rehabilitation. Alr. Aldridge could give no indication as to when the situation would improve. There was not only a shortage of instruments but also of exchange equipment. The panels at the Palmerston North exchango were all fully loaded as also were many of the feeder cables. The equipment needed was not in the country and the Department had two engineers making a survey of the latest material iu America, England and Sweden. As far as the erectio* of the new telephone exchange in Palmerston North was concerned, he was unable to say where it stood in the priority list. The Chamber decided to write to the department, pointing out the size of the waiting list in Palmerston North and requesting that relief be given as urgently as practicable. Answering another question, Mr. Aldridge said it was lack of equipment which also prevented the speeding up of tho telephone service to "the South lslaud. Here again plans were under way for another cable across Cook Strait. The telephone toll service since the end of the war had increased considerably. However, the Department was alive to the position and when tlie new cable was provided, he felt sure there would be little room for complaint.