POSTAL CONFERENCE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXV, Issue 67, 19 March 1894, Page 3

POSTAL CONFERENCE.

ARRIVAL OF THE DELEGATES.

CONFERENCE IN AUCKLAND.

On Saturday evening the Hon. J. U. Ward, postmaster General, and the delegates to the 1 oatal Conference arrived in Auckland by special train. They were welcomed at the station by the Mayor (Mr J. J. Holland), the Chairman of the Harbour Board and President of the Chamber of Commerce (Mr Adam Porter), Messrs W. Crowther and Kelly, M.H.R.'s, Mr Jackson Palmer and other leading citizens. As the visitors were tired, they were ab once driven to the Grand Hotel. Ab 9.30 o'clock yesberday morning, the Mayor and Mr Porter waited upon the visitors, and it was decided to take them for a drive in the afternoon. Accordingly, ato 2.30 o'clock, the guests, 37 in number, accompanied by the Mayor and Mayoress, Miss Holland, Mr and Mrs Adam Porter, left the hotel in two large brakes. They were first driven up Symondastreeb and down Graf ton Road, in order that a view mighb be obtained of North Shore and the harbour generally. The eibe of tho Hospital was highly spoken of as one of the most suitable seen in the colony. The building itself was also greatly admired. Tho party then drove through the Domain, when the beautiful scenery and tine Crickeb Ground drew forth expressions of delighfc from the visi-' tors. After leaving the Domain, the brakes drove through Newmarket round Remuera and Green Lane to Ellerslie, where the racecourse came in for a full share of admiration from the visitors, Dr. Campbell's olive grove was also inspected, likewise the Costley Home. The drive home again was by Owen's Road, paßt Rocklands, to the summit of Mount Eden,, Some of the visitors were eulogistic enough to declare thab there was nothing like tho view from Mounb Eden, in either New South Wales, ab the Golden Hall,' or even Naples itself. After a short stay on the Mount, the party were driven back down Hobson-streeb bo the Harbour Board buildings, and back again to the hotel.

TO-DAY'S CONFERENCE. Ab 10 o'clock this morning the Conference -re-opened in the room of bhe Harbour Board buildings. The following delegates were present:—The Chairman, Hon. J. G. Ward, Colonial Treasurer, Post-master General and Electric Telegraph Commissioner, New Zealand, also representing the colony of Tasmania. New South Wales delegates : Hon. John Kidd, M.L.A., Post Master General; S. H. Lambton, Depuby PosbmasterGeneral ; P. B. Walker, Secretary of Telegraphs. Victoria: Hon. Agar Wynne, Postmaster - General; J. Simbert, Deputy Postmaster - General. South Australia: Hon. John Alexander Cockburn, M.D., M.P., and Minister of Education and Agriculture; Sir Charles Todd, K.C.M.G., M.A., P.R.S., PoaS-master-Genernl and Superintendent of Telegraphs. Queensland : Hon. W. Horatio Wilson, M.L.C., Postmaster-General and Minister of Education; J. McDonnell, Under Secretary and Superintendent of Electric Telegraphs. Western Australia : Hon. S. H. Parker, Q.C., M.L.C.. Colonial Secretary; R. A. Sholl, Postmaster-General. New Zealand : Hon. J.G. Ward ; W. Gray, Secretary of Postal and Telegraphs, and J. K. Logan, Telegraph Engineer. Clerk: On the motion, of the Chairman seconded by Mr Wilson, it was agreed to appoint Mr Hyde clerk to the Conference. The first business taken was Jthe consideration of the reporb and recommendabion presented by the permanent heads of departments. This was a lengthy document, and many clauses were simply read and adopted without discuasion, being of a comparatively unimportant nature.'

CARRIAGE OF MAILS. A recommendation wasadopted that stops should be taken to accelerate the carriage of mails by rail across the Australian continent. Mr Wilson remarked thab bhe present mail arrangements between Brisbane and Sydney were very unsatisfactory.

POSTAL RATES. With regard to the postal rates between the United Kingdom and the colonies, the reporb stated that the heads of departments were unable to recommend any alteration in the existing system under which each country retains its own postage. This waa agreed to. NEWSPAPER POSTAGE.

Regarding the carriage of newspapers, the recommendation was that the postage be Id for the first four ounces and additional for every two ounces throughout the colonies. This was agreed to, Mr Ward remarking thab ab present they found some of the newspapers were being surcharged in other colonies. Respecting the metre sytsemof weighb ib was agreed, on the motion of Mr Ward, seconded by Mr Wilson, to adopt the recommendation thab 12oz should be considered equivalenb to 350 grammes. Ib was also decided to ask the Berno posb office to explain why letters are being surcharged, so as to make the rate 4d insbead of 2£d. Ib was further agreed thab samples of glassware be admitted by post, provided they are so securely packed that they cannob damage mails Some discuasion arose with regard to the question as to whether the colonies might not fuirly object to deliver English packets prepaid id, whilst Id is levied m the colonies. The report pointed out that this involved lobs to bhe colonieß besides possible loss of trade. The recommendation was that the universal rate for the Australasian colonies be one penny. Mr Kidd moved and Mr Wilson seconded thab bhe recommendation be agreed to. Mr Ward recorded his dissent because in New Zealand the rate waa already one halfpenny, which conformed to the English rate. He thought that cheap rates to the colonies should be encouraged. . Dr Cockburn further moved thab joinb representation be made in these colonies desiring that rates be raiaed bhroughoub these colonies from *d to Id in order bo secure unanimity. He certainly approved of the report, but thought" some steps Bhou:-; be taken to secure adjustment ot this matter even before the next general C°Mr rKidd said the rateß charged by England were the Union rates and were therefore quite justifiable. There was no doubt that greab mcon venience resulted, and a heavy loss was enbailed upon the other colonies, bub be coSd nob B ee how ib would be remedied as ib was a rate within the Union. Mr Wynne seconded the motion, which was aereed to, the Chairman recording his Ttniras likewise agreed thab the llmlb of weighb for commercial paper be raised co five pounds.

POSTAL NOTES. An interesting discussion took place with regard to the issuing of postal notes and not limiting time for return of the same. The report recommended the suggesting to the New Zealand Government of the advisability of reconeidering the whole question with a view to Becuring unanimity. Dr, Cockburn expressed the opinion tnao the practice followed by New Zealand in this respect was the true one. Mr Ward Baid he had given this matter of postal notes his careful consideration for Borne time. So long as the postal notes were in circulation, they really took the position of a note issued by the State. The Government had so far only issued ±1 notes, bto it was intended to issue £5 notw. The notes were a great convenience totne oublic, valuable to the Treasury, and of considerable service to the State. He coneidered that) in the interests at the people it,

was very proper that these notes should be issued bhrough the Post Office. Mr Wynne said thab posbal notes were issued originally to do away with money orders. If paper money wer eto be be issued ib should be through a State Bank. He thought ib desirable that the time for the return of the postal nobea should be limited.

Mr Kidd said he considered thab the time should be limited. They did not wish to nave these notes knocking about too long. Dr. Cockburn Baid he would nob press the matter further. He also agreed bhab the notes should be issued from a State Bank. The recommendation in the report was then adopted. TELEPHONES. The delegates further agreed to a recommendation that amendments bo made in the law co as bo admit of licenses being granted to private persons to erect private lines. ELECTRIC MATTERS. An addition was made to the report on the motion of Dr. Cockburn, namely, thab the Committee be requested to complete their labours by reporting upon electric tramways and other matters connected with the application of the electric oowers generally. THE HOUR ZONE SYSTEM. A lengthy discussion ensued upon the question of the introduction of the hour zone system. The matter was introduced by Dr. Cockburn, who moved that the 125 meridian, or 9 hours east of Greenwich, be adopted throughout the colonies. —Mr Wynne said if one time were adopted the difference would be too great. He advocated three meridians. — Ultimately ib was resolved on the motion of Mr Wilson that ib ia desirable in public interest that the Hour Zone system be adopted aa far as possible as follows : Western Australia, 120 meridian ; South Australia, 135; Queensland, Victoria and New South Wales, 150 ; and New Zealand, 165.—The Chairman said he was very pleased to see a prospect of uniformity being arrived at, and he complimented Sir Charles Todd upon the result of bis labours.

THE GAMBLING DISCUSSION. Another important question discussed was whether obstacles should be placed in the way of tho registration of letters for promoters of racing lotteries. The Committee recommended that the matter be left to each colony to deal with. Mr Kidd said that while Victoria, South Australia, and New South Wales had passed legislation to prevent the carrying of letters for t!ae promotion of sweeps, Queensland had practically invited the promoters to come to that colony. Sheltering itself behind a resolution of the House, Queensland appeared to forget that no such resolution could go behind the existing Act. At one time New South Wales was the great centre of sweep operations. Then, when legislation was passed- to do away with sweeps. Queensland allowed the evil to continue He thought Mr Wilson ought to give a promise that the existing law should be enforced in Queensland in order to put down this enormous evil—the gambling spirit of the colony. Mr Cockburn said he knew nothing of what had passed between Queensland and New South Wales, but he thought that something should be done in the way ot strengthening each other's hands, and then they would be able to make representations to their respective Governments. He was very glad thab his hands had been strengthened as his Government was quite alive to the magnitude of the evil. Mr Wynne said he understood that Queensland had similar legislation to New South Wales, but did not enforce it. The majority in Queensland were in favour of putting down sweeps. Mr Wilson explained that it had been .moved in the Queensland Legislative Assembly that the law against sweeps should be carried out by the PostmasterGeneral, and that the resolution was rejected by 37 votes to 12. He regretted very much that since the Victorian and New South Wales Governments had passed law 3 against gambling the gambling spirit had evinced itself in Queensland, but until the nexb Parliament mot nothing could be done. The resolution had been sprung on the House, and the Government considered that nothing could be done, especially in view of the fact that the delegates at tho Conference might have somethin? to pay on the matter. The President eaid thab in New Zealand there had been legislation for some time past on this question. Indeed it was the first colony to adopt such legislation. Of course the Government could not put down gambling, but they had done their beat to prevent the Post Office being made the medium for the gambling. At present they were only partly successful because they could not prevent letters being sent to other colonies, and it would only be when all the colonies acted together thab the evil could be coped with efficiently. Mr Kidd then moved " That the representatives of the Conference should recommend their various Government as far as possible to put a stop to the delivery ot letters promoting racing lotteries." Referring to Mr Wilson's remarks on the action of the Queonslaud Government, the speakers said that the executive of any colony was bound to carry out tho law. He had yet to learn that the Government could take shelter behind a resolution in regard to a question of this kind. Mr Kidd's resolution waa subsequently carried. IMPERIAL PENNY POSTAGE. Mr Kidd expressed himself in favour of the recommendation of the Departments of tho various colonies, bub proposed a slighb alteration in the form of it, withthe view of emphasisjng the fact thab the colonies could not afford the cost of the reduction of postal rates. The colonies could nob allow such an anomaly to exist as a penny postage between them and Great Britain, and a 2£d intercolonial * rate, and if they were to ' adopt the latter, it would mean a loss of a quarter of a million to the whole of the colonies. Those who were agitating for the reduction did nob think of that. They could not judge ot the bad effect a penny rate would have in the colonies. He considered thab England had no right to adopt the lower rate unless the colonies were able bo reciprocate. The people who were most concerned in the matter here made no complaint about the existing rate, just as they did not complain when it was 6d. Correspondence between the colonies and the Mother Country waa nob now what ib once was. In proportion bo the population fewer letters, apart from commercial communications passed between Australasia and England than in former days. He thoughb bhe present agibatiou should be discouraged. Mr Wynne seconded the amendment. He said thab the merchants, who were tho people who would be moat benefited, could well afford to pay. Victoria losb £80,000 by reducing tho rate within her own borders from 2d to Id. Dr. Cockburn suggested thab the substance of the resolution be at once cabled Home. , Mr Ward admitted thab in the present financial position of the neighbouring colonies Mr Kidd'a resolution was a proper Mr Kidd: Don't) you include your own ? Mr Ward continued thab for his own part he looked forward to a universal Imperial penny postage. The late Premier had been strongly in favour of a penny rate between New Zealand and England, and tables had been prepared which showed the loss wouFd only be £1 367 on the reduced rates and on the internal £2,093. The domestic correspondence of the colonies wa» one-third of the whole and amounted to about £80,000. This

showed, as he pointed out, that tho reduction would affect a large number, bub he was quite willing to admit that the time for the reduction might be inopportune. As to the penny postage Mr Ward expressed himself strongly in its favour, and held that thousands were debarred in the old country and here from corresponding because of the price, The loss,-if the present proposal at home were carried out, would, of course, fall on Britain, bub the colonies would have to reduce also, and it was this aspect which made them hesitate to give their countenance to the lowering of the fate. The resolution in its altered form was carried, after others had spoken, and it was agreed that the subject of ib should be cabled home. "

_ Some discusssion took place on the question of press telegraphic messages taking precedence of private telegrams, bub the clause in the recommendations was eventually withdrawn. The whole report was then carried. VOTES OF THANKS. Thanks were accorded to the Chairman of the Harbour Board for the use of the room. Mr Kidd, on behalf of the delegates, moved a hearty vote of thanks to Mr Ward for the great courtesy and kindness he had shown to them during their visit. to New Zealand. He (Mr Kidd) said that) they had been taken through the colony in sncb a thorough fashion that they had been enabled to judge with their own eyea of its richness. With regard to the legislation on matters of political and social reform which the present Government had introduced into tbe country, ho for one heartily congratulated the Government on the progress they had been enabled to effecb during the last few years. With regard to these groat -political and social reforms, New Zealand was tar ahead of the other colonies. It was very much to the credit of tbe people of New Zealand thab they were alive to tho necessity for still greater social reforms than those already effected. He referred to the women's franchise, and said that in granting the vote to women he considered the New Zealand legislature had done wisely and well. If the ladies were satisfied to remain as voters it would be all right, bub he feared tho nexb thing they would wish would be seats in the Parliamenb. ("Hear, hear.") Coming back to the colony again, Mr Kidd said he had never had any idea of the vast) tracts of land lying idle, and he predicted for it a great future. Ib would be one of the most important colonies in the group. Ib was so already. He then repeated his expressions of thanks to Mr and Mrs Ward for their great kindness.

Mr Wynne seconded the motion, and several other delegates in a very eulogistic strain spoke of Mr Ward and of the colony. The motion was then carried.

Mr Ward, in reply, thanked the delegates for Che resolution and their expression of goodwill. He felt he said he did not deserve them all. Much thanks were due to Mr Grey, head of the Postal and Telegraph Department. For himself he could not forget the hospitality which had been extended to him when in Australia. He was sure that good results must come of such Conferences. Another Conference should be held which was of the greatest importance. He referred to a Customs Tariff Conference. If the statesmen of the colony could see their way to iidopb a Customs Union, it would be more important than federation. Votes of thanks were accorded to Mr Grey and the heads of departments, nnd Messrs Hyde and Stowe, Clerks to the Conference; also to the Cable Company and the shorthand reporters, after which ib was resolved, on the motion of Mr Wynne, that the next Conference should be held in Melbourne.