TELEPHONE SERVICES

Wairarapa Age, 29 November 1934, Page 5

TELEPHONE SERVICES

ANOTHER REDUCTION MADE IN TOLL CHARGES.

VARIOUS NOVEL INNOVATIONS. STATEMENT BY MINISTER. INVERCARGILL, November New low rates for telephone toll calls during fCrtslrt hours were announced by the Postmaster-Genera! (the Hon. A. Hamilton) to-day. Following on the extension last month of the evening half-rate period, which now commences at 6 p.m. instead of 8 p.m., substantially reduced charges (quarter rates and less) will apply from December 1 to calls made between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. for calls between any two places in tha North Island, or between any two places in the South Island. The maximum charge for a three-minute call between IT p.m. and 6 a.m. will be Is, while for calls from any place in the North Island to any place in the South Island, or vice versa, the charge will not exceed Is 6d, an exceptionally small fee for a three-minute talk over 1000 -miles. Last month the half-ra'te period! was altered to commence on Sunday# and holidays at 5 p.m. From December 1, half-rates will apply all day on Sundays and on holidays, except when quarter-rates are applicable. The Minister said that the reduction# would cost a considerable sum in revenue, but they were in keeping with the policy of not requiring the user to pay more than it costs to provide the service. The -toll service had been showing a profit and it was the desire of the Government to return as much a# was practicable of that profit to the users.

(Continued on page 7.)