RURAL TELEPHONE CHARGES

Northern Advocate, 27 August 1920, Page 3

RURAL TELEPHONE CHARGES

FARMERS CONSIDER THEM EX-

CESSIVE,

Mr G. S. B. Morrison, President of the sub-Provincial Executive of the. Farmers Union,stated at Wednesday's meeting that the Post and Telegraph Department had proposed to raise fee on all telephones and to place an additional mileage charge of 5s for every quarter-mile on rural telephones. The latter provision meant that, at Maungatapere, the charge would b e £60 per year for a party line of six subscribers. His branch considered the mileage Charge unreasonable, espcially as half-cost of construction and guarantee of maintenance for three years was imposed at the time of erection. He considered that the rural subscribers to telephones were not having a fair deal, and he noticed that the Minister had already been tackled in that connection in Parliament.

He moved, seconded by Mr Finlayson, that the objection be forwarded direct to the Minister.

Mr Finlayson strongly supported the remit being sent direct without waste of time, as its favourable consideration there would tend to ensure the maintenance of the telephone system as a factor in retaining what attractions there already existed for the farming life. If the telephone system in the country broke down it would tend to force people back t 0 the cities, where they could sell their labour in a more attractive sphere.

The motion objecting to the increase, particularly of the imposition of the 5s per quarter-mile beyond the three-mile limit, was held over, owing to Messrs Carey and Peat stating that the additional charge of £1 and the mileage was chargeable on every party line; .not on every subscriber. It was the intention to re-open the question later in the meeting, after members had obtained more direct information on the subject from the Postmaster, but the sad occurence which brought the meeting to a close prevented that procedure being carried into effect.