TELEPHONE CHARGES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10406, 2 April 1897, Page 3

TELEPHONE CHARGES.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—The revision of telephone charges has taken a great miiuy of us by surprise. I believe it is stated that owing to distance and the expense of erecting wires, the suburbs will in future have to pay 10s per quarter-mile above the basis rates. This charge in some instances will be so prohibitive as to reduce tho number of subscribers, and therefore I may anticipate that the rates will still further increase owing to a declining revenue. I hear that £19 is the rate to be charged to some subscribers in the Onehunga neighbourhood. Upon the face of it this rate is absurd; but it opens up the whole question as to whether there should not be a uniform rate for all subscribers, irrespective ot distance. Gas is uot charged for at an additional rate for the suburbs ; the water rate is usually a uniform price ; telegrams are charged the same for short distances as for long; postage rate* are the same in New Zealand whether to the North Shore or to Invercargill; why, then, should such a differential rating be now stipulated for telephones? Subscribers in town can doubtless afford to pay a slight increase over the rates recently charged, but the telephone might be made a popular means of communication, and residents and others should lie induced, by a uniform rate, to subscribe. Subscribers lately have had a great many complaints to make respecting the want of attention at the Central Office. This, doubtless, is chiefly due n> the obsolete system now in use; but surely this can be remedied, and a system provided capable ot accommodating u Urge increase in the number of subscribers. This morning's newspaper reports that the new rates are considered excessive in Wellington. Might I suggest that the Chamber of Commerce call a meeting of subscribers and discuss the mutter, with the view to making some recommendation to the authorities ?—I am, etc., QOKEN-STREKT. TO THK EDITOR. Slß,—The proposal to increase the charge tor the use of telephone comes with a particularly bad grace just now when the attendance is so shocking that in short connections it is frequently more expeditious to send than to wait the attendant's leisure. 1 wonder some of the subscribers have not mentioned this feature before. I have frequently to ring many times before securing connection ; frequently am told the number required is " engaged," and upon getting thai number later oit and asking, find the state> ment incorrect.—l am, etc., Ring and Rijtg and Ring.