RIVAL SYSTEMS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23514, 31 May 1938, Page 9

RIVAL SYSTEMS

TELEPHONE HELPS TELEGRAPH Although the popularity of longdistance telephoning in New Zealand has made inroads into the telegraphic business of the Post Office, both systems have their own particular advantages, and the telegraph is not by any means a disappearing factor. Ten years ago the number of telegrams sent every year in New Zealand exceeded '6.000,000 but a heavy decline was experienced, from which the system is now recovering, although its annual total is still about 1,000,000 messages short of the peak point of activity. During the last three years the improvement has been substantial, amounting to a total increase of 1,317,902 messages, representing a rise of over 26 per cent, in the three years. The telegraph’s rival has been enlisted to assist in the extension of telegraphic business. There is a convenient system under which the Post Office will accept outward telegrams over the telephone from subscribers, the telegraph charges being added to the next telephone account. In one of New Zealand’s large centres at least 22,000 telegrams for outward transmission are dealt with in this way every three months. Inward telegrams can, by pre-arrangement in writing, also be telephoned to the addressee, the actual telegram being subsequently delivered by post. No charge is made, and the Post Office is taking steps to encourage the use of this service to telephone subscribers who use its telegraph system. Cables and radio telegrams are also accepted by telephone, the only difference being that the charge must be paid on the following day