TELEPHONE CHARGES

Otago Witness, Issue 3594, 30 January 1923, Page 65

TELEPHONE CHARGES

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE DISCUSSION. WELLINGTON, January 24. A general meeting of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce was held yesterday afternoon, at which there were about 20 present, to discuss the question of the new schedule of telephone charges. Mr A. T. Mark man (first assistant secretary) and Mr li*. A. Shrimpton (chief telegraph engineer) were present by invitation to explain matters to the meeting. During the course of the discussion, Mr Marlunan said that all Government departments had now to produce a business balance sheet every year. The object of the new schedule was to make tile Telegraph Deparement self-supporting, after paying about 4 per cent, on the capital cost, ’the Postal Department was reducing the cost of telegrams and letters, yet would show this year that it was paying interest on the capital cost. They expected the Telephone Department to pay its way, and if it was found to be earning more than was required the policy of the department would be to. urge the Government to reduce the charges. The present policy was that each department riiould pay its way, with a margin of, say, x. 10,00 more. A motion approving the increased charges was moved, but, on the suggestion of the chairman, was withdrawn, the chamber deciding to discuss the matter further at a future meeting. . "PALMERSTON NORTH PROTEST. NORTH, January 2. A meeting of the Council of the Chamber of Commerce passed a resolution that it viewed , with dissatisfaction the proposed increase in the telephone charges. Members spoke emphatically against the proposals, the president stating that if they were proceeded with many people would dispense with telephones altogether. TOLL COMMUNICATIONS. WELLINGTON, January 24 It is understood that on February 1 when the new postal charges come into loree, the new rates for the toll communications on the telephone will also be brought into operation. In the new schedule it is stated that important concessions will be made to the users of toll lines. A change will be made in the basis of the charge, and five-mile instead of 50miie sections will regulate the amount to be paid. Inis will mean a substantial lowering of the toll for the subscribers who use a Ime just oyer the 50 miles’ distance. Where the distance approaches tne bU-mue point the new system will of course, mean a slight increase in the charges. At piesent there is in force a special rate ot id for subscribers speaking up to a dis°f 25 miles. This will be abolished, and the minimum rate for subscribers and non-subscribers will be fixed at 4d for a three-minute conversation instead of 6d Another predicted change is the operation of the half-rate concession from 9 p.m. instead of 10 p.m. The concession will apply at any exchange open at any time between 9 p.m. and 8 a.m. Between the hours of midnight and 6 a.m. the minimum charge will be the same as the ordinary night rate, but a six-minute conversation instead of three minutes will bo allowed for the same fee. When the oonversation exceeds six minutes’ duration the charge will be slightly higher than oneiiait of the ordinary night rate.