A NEWSPAPER CALL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21446, 22 September 1931, Page 10

A NEWSPAPER CALL

"NEW ZEALAND WAITING” TALK WITH GOVERNOR-GENERAL LORD BLEDISLOE AMAZED. “ Evening News! New Zealand waiting.” I had put in a call to Lord Bledisloe, Governor-General of the Dominion, at 6 a.m. (writes an Evening News correspondent), and exactly three minutes afterwards the telephone bell rang, and, lifting the receiver. I was told that I was “ through.” “ Hello,” came a cheery voice as clear and plain as though it was speaking from a London suburb. “Is that the Evening News, London? ” “Yes,” I replied. “Is that Lord Bledisloe? ” “It is,” he said. “Good afternoon.” “Good morning,” I answered, and we both laughed. “ I had forgotten the difference in the time for a moment,” said the GovernorGeneral. “It is about 4.30 p.m. here.” And so the new radio-telephone service between England and her furthest dominion was inaugurated, for my call was the first public call made either from this country or New Zealand. It is the longest direct telephone service in the world, and only one other station was used in transmission—that at Sydney. Australia. The distance is about 12,000 miles. “ ISN'T IT WONDERFUL? ” Lord Bledisloe had evidently the same thoughts as I had on this latest wizardry of world communications. His next words were, “ Isn’t this wonderful! Here lam at Government House, Wellington, and you are at the Evening News office in London, and we arc talking to one another as easily as though we were only 12 instead of 12,000 miles apart. “ Wonderful, wonderful.” he repeated. For several minutes we continued our conversation, and the hearing was perfect. “Can you hear me all right?” he asked. “ I am getting you splendidly." I told him reception was as good on my side, and he asked me what kind of weather we were having in the Old Country.

“It has been rather a wet summer, so far,” I said, and Lord Bledisloe laughed. "Nothing new in that for England," he said. “Here we are experiencing the most delightful weather, and we had the best winter that anyone can remember.” “ Hava you recovered from the earthquake disaster in the North Island? ” I “ Oh, yes," Lord Bledisloe said. “It has left its mark, of course, but New Zealanders are people of pluck and resource, and we have got over the catastrophe.” I said that we knew something her® of the pluck of the New Zealanders from the performances of their cricket team. “Ah!” said the Governor-General, and I could tell from the tones of his voiea how great was his interest in this subject. “ They are not doing badly, are they? I see they are to have two more teste, and I am hoping that they will win the next one. “It would be a fine feather in our cap if we, a country of 1,500,000, beat mighty England. I think our team is a good one, and they are well led by Mr Lowry.” The Governor-General, in reply to another question, said trade was none too good in the Dominion. “ But it will be better,” he added, “ and we are holding on. You tell the Old Country that when it wants wool, butter, cheese, and meat to think of New Zealand.” He said the Hoover plan for restoration of world prosperity, and the Seven Powers’ Conference in London, were being followed with the greatest interest “ down under.” VALUE OF THE SERVICE. " Do you believe the new telephone service will be of material advantage to New Zealand?” I asked. “Certainly,” replied Lord Bledisloe. “ Quick communication of that kind must be good not only for Governmental pur* poses, but for business also. “ But we are poor men here, and I hope the cost will be cheaper soon. (The charge is £6 15e for three minutes.) “It has been a most interesting conversation,” he continued, “ and I am glad the Evening News ranir me up. You were the first in the field. . “Good afternoon! I mean good monx mg! ” And a hearty laugh 12,000 mile®, array was the last sound I heard a# X hung up the receiver.