TELEPHONES FOR FARMERS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1432, 6 May 1912, Page 4

TELEPHONES FOR FARMERS.

FORWARD POLICY NEEDED,

(By Telegraph-Special'Correspondent.) Auckland, May 5. The question of telephones for settlers was discussed with a reporter by the secretary of the Auckland A. and l>l Association (Mr. Ldwiii Hall), who said: "We havo been collecting information far some years with the object of inducing the Goveminent to encourage, the installation of rural telephone systems by giving n<c»-c power to local bodies or local residents to undertake the work. From what 1 have seen in America, Canada, ami Kneand, I have realised for a lengthy time that ftew Zealand is somowlint behind in this matter of rural telephones. An adequate and inexpensive system would mean much to the commercial and agricultural progress of a young country like this, as well an to the convenience and comfort of those living in tho back-blocks. "It is surely not too much to ask," paid Mr. Jkll, "that the Government might do something to assist the farmers ; to provide them either through the local bodies or by co-operative effort, as is being done successfully in other lands. Tho fight for the' world's market is becoming fiercer, and our primary producers, if they are to hold their own, ought to be placed on as pood a footing in this respect as their rivals. Farmers can erect Hues cheaper than any Government can possibly do. Any settler who can 'erect a wire fence can put up a telephone wire."

A statement was mede by Sir Joseph Ward to the effect that it ivas simply impossible for the Government to cope with the demands for country telephones, and that to grant all tho telephone reciuesls now made would cost ,£7,000,000. After reading tiiis statement while crossing the Pacific, Mr. Hall asked soma fanners on tho s.s. Moana how the difficulty was met in their country. "In our country they havo all got them," said a ! Manitoba farmer. The council in his district erected the system, and provided farmers with telephones for ,£3 p» r annum. Of this sum XI was paid to the Government to give the fnnnors tho uso of the long-distance trunk lines without further charge. The fanners wero putting their linos in everywhere. Thore was a regular network of them. The Texas settler stated that the 801 l Telephone Company wero providing the farmers with telephones (worth {"s. fid.) for sixpence per week (six dollars a year). Tho suggestion has been made that the local bodies concerned with the control uf outlying districts should take eon. ceiled action in im endeavour to have some scheme provided for the establishment of rural telephone systems. One has I boot) introduced in tho Northern Wairon, ! and is wiid to be working most satisfactorily with is list of over 100 subscribers.