Postal Charges Revision

Hokitika Guardian, 19 September 1922, Page 4

Postal Charges Revision

WELLINGTON, Sent. 15 Tlie Postmaster-General gave the House some important information upon the policy which is being followed in the complete overhaul of telephone, telegram and postal charge'! now in hand. It was, lie said, n very thorough process, which he could not complete while busy with the session, but lie wished to make one job of it. Every year, he said, telephone couiteelimis exceeded these of previous years, mid £(1(10.011(1 would he spent this venr on teh phone connections. The pro sent system of telephone charges was more favourable to tiie city than ti c < oiintrv, and any reduction made would not he in the gross amount of revenue received but by readjustments, which would mean a small incicase to those who had facilities to connect with a large number of telephones. It was quite unfair that a man who could connect with (5000 telephones without paving toll should pay less than the man who could only connect with 1000 telephones. People in distant suburbs paid £23 10s for a telephone, 'Wide those in a city paid .£»>, which vas wrong. The Department wished to entourage people to live out of town, and it would have to readjust the tel! system. It was wrong that a man who was a few indies over the twenty mile zone had to pay a rate up to forty miles. All plans were laid to review the whole question of charges making them more equitable both for tclcplionc, telegraph and postal facilities. Mr Sido.v: Will you reduce postal charges? Mr Coates: It won’t he an increase. Von will get particulars when they coine out. The aim of the Government is to reduce charges, and it is essential that this should he done as. early as possible. _____