BIG PROBLEM OF TELEPHONE SHORTAGE

Chronicle (Levin), 11 March 1947, Page 3

BIG PROBLEM OF TELEPHONE SHORTAGE

—Press Association

By Telec/ravn-

AUCKLAND, March 10. A statement that New Zealand is at the top of the list for the provision of new telephone equipment, and occupiea an enviable position for the future, was xnade by Mr. J. A. Scoweroft, of the telephone works of the General Electric Company, who has been visiting New Zealand since the middle of September representing British telephone manufacturers. At the invitation of the Prime Minister, Mr. Scoweroft and Mr. E. H. Townsend came out to discuss with offic-

ials here teehnical problems involved in extending the Dominion's automatic telephone systeins. Mr. Townsend returned to Britain in January. . Mr. Scoweroft said New Zealand had been very favourably treated by the British posi office whieh had given considerable help in the obtaining of new suppiies but nevertheless he sought to discourage undue optimism by drawing attention to the iength of tiiue required for preliminarv eugineering work, inanufaeturing of equvpment, and finally for its installation. One of tiie difficulties affeeting New Zealand, of course, was the unprecedented telephone shortages everywhere. One of the main sources of supjily, Gennany, was closed beeause Allied control did not permit the manutracture of telephone equipment there. Asked about the'- sources of supply Mr. Scoweroft said a certain amount of telephone equipment came in from Amorica during the war under lendlease but it was toO expensive to be availed of now. In Britain the industry had the advantage of five great telephone companies cooperating together and they were seeking to accelerate New Zealand ,!s. supply. The posi,tiou was, at the,ri:moment, improving. Manufacturers had- the problem of turnLng from a war-time to peace-time basis and the problenl of shortage of labour, largely brought about by the withdrawal of the control of labqur. After consul'tatrqn tyith, tl^h.chief ;engineer, Mr. E. H. R. Greehj G. R. Milne, superintending engineer of automatic telephones, and.thedr staffs in Auckland, ..Wellington ahd. other cenfres, Mr. Scoweroft said he and Mr." 'Downsend1 liave

submitted a report to Mr. Green concerning an extension programme and standardisation of equipment. Mr. Scoweroft has concluded his visit and is to leave for Sydney by air in the morning. Discussing the prospects of extensions Mr. Milne said he expected automatic equipment for exchanges at New Plyxnouth, Nelson and Lower Hutt would be shipped . from England in April or May. Equipment for Wellington and Auckland will follow later in the year but it will not be ready foT service in Auckland before the end of 1948. The department will be progressively opening new exchanges and extending facilitics with new equipment from 1949 on into 1951.