MUCH PROTEST.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 18030, 19 January 1923, Page 7

MUCH PROTEST.

TELEPHONE CHARGES.

WHAT ALTERNATIVES?

DISMAY OF BUSINESS MEN

By Telegraph—‘Press Association. WELLINGTON, Jan. 17. The general opinion amongsi business men in Wellington or the proposed changes in the telephone system, seems to be one ol

dismay. . • ! Many firms now using three orj four telephones have strongly, expressed tlie opinion that they j much prefer to reduce the number j of wares, rather than to pay tie increased charges. . . j In some quarters, the opinion lias been expressed that the best way to wipe off the departmental deficit was to reduce charges, and , to attract more customers. i By Telegraph—Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, Jan. IT. In regard to increased tele-: phone charges, the general im* ; pression in business circles in j Christchurch appears to be that: the Government will be compelled ; to devise some alternative j scheme, since the volume of pro- 1 test that will be evoked by the j Minister’s proposals will be so, great as to compel tlieir abandon- 1 ment. I By Telegraph—Press Association. ’ NEW PLYMOUTH, Jan. IS. 1 Strong protests ; against the proposed new telephone charges were made by New Plymouth business men. Interviewed to-day one man said that local rates mean an increase practically of 100 per cent, for business ’phones, which will go from £7 to £l3. “These pro- j posed charges really mean that we are not going to get any real benefit from the reduced postal rates,” said one merchant. “I suggest that small traders will prefer to do without the telephone rather than pay 85 per cent, more.” _ Householder’s also protest, although they get off more lightly.

timaru opinion. PREPOSTEROUS PROPOSAL. Strong protest at the Government’s suggested increase in telephone charges was made by several Timaru business men yesterday to a “Herald” reporter. “Tlie Government is adopting a senseless proposal,” said one business man, incidentally a strong Reform supporter. “Whether or not Mr Coates intends to submit the proposals, as promised, to public bodies, is a matter for conjecture. Similar promises have been made in the past, but nothing has ever become of them. As an instance of this, may I say that in 1921 oyer the incidence of tuxcution, the with mulish obstinacy, pooh-poohed suggestions made by business men on Chambers of Commerce throughout the Dominion. _ ■ “We business men are not. fools, me telephone services are not so generally splendid that we feel inclined to pay the Government an increase of about 80 per cent. I foresee that unless Mr Contes and his advisers are agreeable to modify the proposals, they will find themselves faced with a great loss of subscribers. . “I have three telephones m my office, each separately! connected. I shall immediately stop two of the connections, and do iny business on one telephone. In all probability I will do without a private telephone. Many smaller business mon than myself, notably land agents, from what I have heard today, will do without their telephones altogether, and rely on their motor cars to got their business. I am inclined to think that the slight reductions m postal charges were to placate the infuriated commercial community, when Mr Coates hurled his bomb in their midst.” ' , ~ , , A private householder was seen, who, prior to the receipt of yesterday s “Herald” was contemplating the installation of the telephone. He, however, has now decided to at least postpone the installation, as he considers that at tho present time the enhanced price is not warranted, and is not com-; mensurate with tho benefit a telephone would carry. The proposed system of monthly bills was also deprecated, and n heavy expenditure in carrying out this proposal appeared imminent.