USE OF TELEPHONE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22540, 3 October 1936, Page 14

USE OF TELEPHONE

NEW ZEALAND SUBSCRIBERS RECORD TOTAL REACHED [by telegram —OWN correspondent] WELLINGTON, Fridny "Tho highest number of telephone subscribers ever recorded in the history of New Zealand was reached on September 30, with a total of 133,460." stated the Postmaster-General, the Hon. F. Jones, in an interview to-day. "The highly satisfactory growth in the telephone branch," added tho Minister, "is another indication of the steady progress of the Dominion out of the economic depression, the influence of which on this branch of the department's business was to cause tho Joss of 10,385 subscribers, or approximately 8 per cent. The lowest total, ]22.470, was reached in July, "How quickly and completely tho telephone branch of the department has recovered is proved by tho fact that tho highest point of pre-deprcssion years—l32,Bss, in December, 11)30—has now been passed, with 60.5 to spare. During the present year tho monthly increase in subscribers has averaged 645, but September was distinctive with 812, the greatest monthly net increase on record. "If the present progress is maintained." concluded the Minister, "tho Dominion may yet improve upon the high position which it holds in the use of telephones in comparison with, other countries. New Zealand's position at the present time is fourth among the countries of the world, with a density of more than 10 telephones in use per 100 of the population. It is headed only by the United States, Canada and Denmark."