INCREASED TELEPHONE CHARGES.

Waipa Post, Volume V, Issue 228, 11 July 1913, Page 2

INCREASED TELEPHONE CHARGES.

C.[AMBER OF COMMERCE

PROTEST

in reference to the local appearing in our last issue concerning the Order in Council of 16th June practically abolishing the tree transmission of telegrams to telephone subscribers, the Te Awamutu Chamber of Commerce has voiced its disapproval an.l entered a strong protest against this retrogade step, which it is considered is an unfair tax upon the outlying settler. The following is a telegram sent yesterday to the Postmaster-General:

My chamber notes with regret the new regulation governing the transmission of telegrams by telephone whereby subscribers are now required to pay £l per annum for that privilege. As the free telephoning of telegrams is primarily responsible for the popularity of the party line system throughout the Dominion, and as itproved the weightiest argument used by my chamber in adding some hundred subscribers to the Te Awamutu exchange—many of 1 whom, but for that concession, would not have joined; it is strongly urged that this matter be reconsidered : otherwise subscribers to party Hues, not only in this district, but elsewhere, will have the opinion that they have been unfairly treated by your department, while some may go length of saying they have been deliberately deceived. The a-. mended regulation practically increases party line rental from £3 to £4, and single lines from £5 to £6 per annum. It is hoped that you will take immediate steps for the rescinding for the order in council in question. Enquiry from other centres will confirm my chamber's protest. —W. N. von Stunner, president.