TELEPHONE STATISTICS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21390, 18 July 1931, Page 18

TELEPHONE STATISTICS

CANADA LEADS THE WORLD IN CALLS According to statistics compiled at Montreal Canadians use the telephone more freely than any other people, and in this respect are well in advance of their nearest competitors, the United States and New Zealand. Data covering 12 months show that Canada had 257.7 telephone calls per capita, while the United States had 231, and New Zealand 211. Denmark with 148,6 per individual was the leader among European nations. The average resident of the United Kingdom in the same period carried on but 32 telephone conversations and the Frenchman 19. In the provision of telephone facilities for cities above 50,000 Canada leads the world with 23 instruments for each 100 persons, and for smaller towns and villages is second to the United States. The Dominion has 1,300,986 telephones, being exceeded only by the United, States, Germany, and Great Britain, but in proportion to population is in second place in the world. United States Has 16.4 for each 100 persons, Canada 14.2, Germany 5, and Great Britain 4.1. New Zealand again comes in third place, with 10.3, followed by Denmark with 9.6, Sweden with 8.3, and Australia with 7.9, Canada and the United States together have 21,695,376 telephones, or 62.84 per cent, of the world total. American telephones without exception are under private ownership. In Canada 18 per cent, are publicly owned.