TELEPHONE RENTALS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21233, 13 July 1932, Page 6

TELEPHONE RENTALS.

PROTECT IN THE SOUTH.

DEPARTMENT CRITICISED. The refusal of the Post and Telegraph Department to reduce telephone rentals ,was criticised by the chairman of the Lyttelton Harbour Board, Mr. W. T. Lester, las<; week, when the board decided to join in the Canterbury Progress League's protest to the Government. An application had been made to the Post and Telegraph Department for a reduction of 20 per cent, in the board's telephone, rentals, under the National Expenditure Adjustment Act, said Mr. Lester. These rentals, including the telephones for/ships at Lyttelton, amounted to some £245 per annum. The department had replied unfavourably. "I am sijre that no public body or group of business interests desires to harass the Government in difficult times like the present, but in view of the apparent decrease in working expenses of the Post and Telegraph Department I suggest that the board join with the Canterbury Progress League in its representations to the Government on the matter of a reduction in charges," commented Mr. Lester. "From what one hears on aIL sides, of the number of telephone subscribers who are dropping out, the thought suggests itself that a reduction ot charges might be a reasonable alternative for the department to codHider." /