TELEGRAMS BY ZONES

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 72, 26 March 1934, Page 8

TELEGRAMS BY ZONES

The Post and Telegraph Department should receive credit for its endeavour to popularise the telegraph service. This is the aim of the new zoning system. It remains to be seen, however, whether differential charges will be more attractive than the flat rate. At present rates, so far as the telegraphing distances are concerned, are the same for all New Zealand; but there may be additional charges for delivery. Even in the near suburbs of the cities these charges are made when the little local offices are closed. Under the new system distance will enter into the rating apart altogether from delivery. This system appears to be based mainly upon the practice in Canada and the United States, But in those countries distances are much greater —so much greater that a doubt is suggested whether New Zealand is wise in taking its model from countries having such different conditions. At the outset the uncertainty of scale, as against flat rates, will tend to hinder business over long distances and there may not be full compensation, in the revenue from local telegrams when local telephones can do most of the work. Big business houses will certainly master the charges quickly, but the general public may find the zoning confusing. Even though the extra charge, where it is made, is only a penny or so it will make a difference, for any telegraph officer knows how much care the average message-sender will take to avoid the extra word which adds even a. penny, to the cost.