asked the Postmaster-General whether telephones cannot now be erected, under the scheme as brought out by himself for rural telephones by party-lines, on account of the funds being exhausted; and if he can say if this fund will be renewed and how many rural party-lines have been erected?

The amount already authorised by the Treasury for the experimental provision of rural party-line telephones has been expended or allocated to lines under construction, but I have requested and hope shortly to receive authority for further expenditure which will meet all public requirements until the scheme can be put on a settled basis after adequate experience of its working. About 900 subscribers are being served by lines of this class or are about to be served by lines now being constructed, and the proposals now under consideration will provide for about 500 more subscribers.