Story: Rural services

Talking on the party line

A 1953 film illustrates how farmers maintained their own telephone system before the Post and Telegraph Department extended its service to outlying areas. After the Second World War many country districts were served by party lines, with up to 10 customers each. Users could listen in on other people’s conversations.

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Archives New Zealand - Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga
Reference: Telephone Talk. National Film Unit, 1953

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How to cite this page:

Nancy Swarbrick, 'Rural services - Communications', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/video/18564/talking-on-the-party-line (accessed 20 April 2024)

Story by Nancy Swarbrick, published 24 Nov 2008