RURAL TELEPHONES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 311, 26 May 1911, Page 5

RURAL TELEPHONES.

ENCOURAGING THEIR EXTENSION. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. "A settler saves the capital cost of hii private telephone in the first six months," - said a speaker at the A. and P. Association's Conference to-day, when speaking on the subject of rural telephones. The discussion was raised by a motion by Mr. Somerville (Te Kuiti) — , ''That the Agricultural Association and farmers' clubs throughout this province be urged to encourage the extension of the telephone system in rural districts by endeavoring to induce local authorities and local residents to establish telephone systems in centres where the Government cannot undertake to do so." Mr. Rutherford seconded the motion, pointing out the advantages of telephones to people in isolated districts and of the prohibitive rates in places now charged by the Government. The secretary gave particulars obtained from- the Prime Minister as the result of the enquiries made after the last conference in regard to rural telephones. In his letter, Sir Joseph Ward stated that county councils had power to contract with the Minister of Telegraphs and employ portions of the county funds for the erection or extension of telephone lines. The county council was the only local body which had that power. Then private individuals and residents could ma Re arrangements for a focal system connected with the Department's system, and such private owners could receive and despatch messages over the Department's wires without extra charge. This last concession was not generally known. The motion was unanimously adopted.