TELEPHONE CHARGES

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 160726, 12 August 1920, Page 5

TELEPHONE CHARGES

COMPLAINTS AND JUSTIFICATION. (By Telegraph-—Special to “Herald 1 ”). WELLINGTON, August 11. Judging by questions put to the Post-master-General in the House, country settlers feel that the increase in telephone charges, especially on party lines, will be a severe tax upon them. Mr Coates, replying to one of these questions, stated that the back-block settlers were less affected by the increased telephone rentals than other subscribers, for the following reasons; such subscribers generally availed themselves of the party line system, whereby as many as six subscribers could combine on a party line at rates considerably below those charged for exclusive lines. 'The increased mileage charge complained of was divided amongst the number of persons forming a party, and in the case of six, the party line increased charge was tonpence per quarter-mile. With six parties on a line, the increased mileage charge, commenced to operate only at a distance of three miles from the exchange, beyond this three mile distance, party line subscribers might, as an alternative, erect a line for themselves. No rental whatever would be charged for this section. Materials for the privately-owned section of the line might under the new back-blocks telephone scheme be obtained from the Department as soon as supplies became available, at cost price. Not satisfied with this reply, Mr MeCallum again asked the Postmaster-Gen-eral to consider the matter, as the increased charges would cause some subscribers on party lines to drop out, throwing a heavier burden on the remaining users. Mr Coates repeated that the cost to individuals would be very small. He was obliged to got revenue to pay the 33 1-3 per cent increase in wages, besides big increases in cost of material. For instance, the simplest form of telephone, formerly costing 50s, now cost J36 or £7. He was prepared to admit that big city users of telephones got more than their share of the benefit under the flat rate system, but as soon as possible this would be changed to a method under which charges would be made according to the number of calls.