TELEPHONE EXCHANGES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17040, 23 December 1918, Page 8

TELEPHONE EXCHANGES.

PROTEST AGAINST CLOSING. The Dwwdiii Fire Bowd had Wore it recently a letter from Superintendent Napier, asking that a strong protest should bo made against the action of the postal authorities in closing the telephone exchange on November 12. The superintendent eaid that the instructions had been issued from Wellington. The chairman said he thought a strong protest should certainly be made, even at a late hour, as the matter was so important. To dose a, telephone exchange at any time was a grave matter when so many people d* pendod on it for summoning police, mediea.l, or fire-fighting assist Mice. No ono would grudge the operators achanoo of rejoicing and holiday-making, but the telephone had come to be such au essential means of communication flat an exchange should never be closed altogether. Ho moved-—" That a copy of the superintendent's memo, be forwarded to the Post. master-General, and a strong protest entered against the total closing of a telephone exchange on any occasion, the public relying on the services of such an exchange to summon aid in the event of any emergency." The motion was carried unanimously.