“UNIVERSAL” PENNY POSTAGE

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 86, 10 January 1928, Page 10

“UNIVERSAL” PENNY POSTAGE

Sir,—Your readers are indebted to Mr. Albert Russell for his very interesting contributions to the “Dominion” regarding his impressions after a world’s tour. Although many of us have not had the privilege of visiting other lands, and of making ourselves acquainted in this way with what is going on elsewhere, or of closely realising the rapid development of commercial and industrial activities in other countries, it is always gratifying and instructive to have the views and opinions of those who, like Mr. Russell, have had the opportunity of travelling which is an education in itself. This opinion is expressed as we are apt to develop insular ideas and to imagine, because it suits the wily politician to preach that New Zealand "leads the world,” that we are the only pebbles on the beach, which is all moonshine. Tho Dominion is a young country with a small population, and it is therefore not a difficult matter to experiment with our legislative measures, but it should be remembered that what they refer to has, in many instances, been previouslv tried elsewhere in another form. When consideration, however, is given to what is generally passed by Parliament and becomes law in New Zealand, we hardly deserve to be put on a pillar by the outside world as leaders of thought. Americans, as Mr. Russell tells us, remarked to him that we were original and daring in many legislative ways, and ainqng . other things they referred to universal penny postage, but no doubt he pointed out to his informants that they were barking up tho wrong tree, because there is no such thing in New Zealand as “universal” penny postage. This was proclaimed fi;om the house lops in 1900, but the "universal” aspect of the matter should have been very carefully considered in all its aspects before starting the scheme, apart from the political'kudos which we were practically looking for. It is interesting to note that in 1891 an act was passed in Parliament providing for tho establishment of penny postage within the colony, when funds would permit, it. Nothing further transpired until IDGO, when the Colonial Treasurer informed the House that it was proposed to start “universal" penny postage on January 1, 1901, and New Zealand would be tho first, colony to have this benefit. He estimated .the loss at £89,000 per annum,, but he felt sure that the increase in correspondence would bring the revenue Up to the original level. It seems, however, to have been ovrlooked that in 189,8 Great Britain had inaugurated an Imperial system of penny postage with her colonies, and they had all joined the scheme with the exception of Australia and New Zealand, because of revenue purposes. It was therefore quite clear in 1901 that if New Zealand was prepared to adopt penny postage with Great -Britain, and the colonies which were already in the scheme, all that, was required was to ask tlie authorities at Home t° place her on Iho list with'the others, and this would have been done as. there was no objection whatever to- New Zealand and Australia joining. Biit the word “universal” apparently sounded better, and in all probability, it carried more weight than merely joining the already existing Imperial system, which would have been an easy matter. It may also have been imagined that by issuing postage stamps with "New Zealand Universal postage—One Penny" on them, a favourable impression would be created, and other countries would perhaps follow our example by reciprocating and by charging penny postage on letters to the Dominion. But, for excellent reasons, none of them swallowed the bait except Servia because, in accordance with Article 5 of the Washington Convention, the Postal Union rate of postage had been fixed at 2Jd. for the first ounce and lid. for each additional ounce, or the equivalent of that sum in money of those countries forming part of the union. New Zealand was therefore informed by the Director of the International Bureau of the Universal Postage Union at Berne that she was not empowered to adopt the rate of Id. per half ounce without distinction for letters addressed to the countries of the union. This unexpected eye-opener did not stop the proceedings in Wellington; stamps were therefore ordered and Post-mnsters-General all over the world were notified that, as a befitting commemoration of the new century, universal penny postage would be introduced from January 1, 1901. This information, however, caused a flutter in London, and the postal authorities there asked if what was proposed was universal or Imperial, because if it was universal foreign countries would expect to be consulted. The Secretary for the Colonies also cabled to His Excellency the Governor saying that he presumed, that the universal penny postage would apply only to the United Kingdom. India, and the colonies having adopted penny postage, otherwise the Postage Union Convention had been infringed. Tn acknowledging the Wellington cable-

gram, the Postmasters at Hong-Kong, Cape Town and Simla inferred tliat i\ew Zealand was joining the imperial system, so there appeared to be grave doubt as to what uie move hero really meant. To a great many it was a conundrum, and to remedy matters it was stated in Parliament that, apart from joiuiug the Imperial penny postage scheme, New Zealand intended to charge this rate to all places which would allow it to send letters to them at a penny rate. It was evidently not remembered that a Postal Union existed which had decided ou a general rate of 2jd., or its equivalent, and that this rate’, was charged for sending letters to all countries of (he union. It was, therefore, childish to expect other countries to reciprocate, and to send letters to New Zealand. 13,000 miles awa-, for a penny, which was quite impossible, as the union i'ate could not be altered merely to suit our ends, and; to back up what we considered a desirable advertisement. Other countries had also carefully gone into the question of a .payable postal revenue, and as there is no sentiment in business, especially if a loss is likely to result, a reduction of postage on their part could not be considered, especially as everything was being carried on successfully according to the rules of the Postal Union, of which they were members.

Recent figures respecting penny postage in New Zealand are not available just now, but in 1924 it was stated by tlie Postmaster-General in the House "that there had been a reduction in the revenue on the postal side for the previous year. For the year then ended the figures were £1,146,000, ts against d 11,378,000 for the previous year, but be hoped that theincrease in business would very shortly overtake the loss of id. postage." It will be seen that there was a difference of which requires some consideration. The sole method of reducing postage below the normal union tariff, and which union administrations can adopt, is that provided by Article XXI of the Washington Convention—that is by the formation of restricted unions for the purpose by mutual agreement between the postal offices concerned—that is, of course, if the revenue of the two offices will permit of the arrangement. This was the scheme adopted by Great Britain with her colonies, but she was unable to arrange a reduced postage with foreign countries, and it was therefore unlikely that New Zealand would succeed where the Mother Country had failed. L „ The position at present in New Zealand is that we can send letters to the United Kingdom and her colonies for a penny the half ounce under the Imperial scheme, which was arranged in accordance with Article XXI, as stated above, but there is no ‘'universal postage system, and it. is very doubtful whether there ever will be one. Several countries, and purely as an act of courtesy, relinquished the surcharge on "penny' letters” from New Zealand, but they cannot reduce their postage rate below what was decided by the Postal Union, '&nd that is 2|cl.» and this rate is necessary here if we are sending letters to the following countries, otherwise a surcharge is payable by the receiver — X , Abyssinia, Albania, Algeria, Arabia (Hejaz only). Austria. Belgian Congo, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cameroons (French sphere). Canary Islands, Caroline Islands, China, Corea, Crete, Cuba, Czecho-Slovakia, Dahomey, Danzig Denmark, Dominican Republic, Dutch East Indies, Dutch Guina. Ecuador, Faroe Islands, Fernando Po Fm : land. Formosa, France, French Somali Coast, French West Indies. French Settlements of Oceania, Germany, Greece, Greenland. Guatemala. Hayti, Hol and. Honduras Republic. Hungary. Iceland, Japan, Lettonia, Lithuania, Marian Islands, Marshall Islands, Mauritania. Memel Territory, Monaco, Norway. Nossi Be, Persia. Poland. St. Pierre anti Miquelon, Salvador, Senegal. Soviet Socialistic Republics, Spain, Spitsbergen Sweden, Switzerland, Togoland (French) Tunis, Turkey, Uraguay, and Venezuela. As there appears ta be something at the cross-word puzzle in connection with what is referred to as “Universal Penny Postage," it is just as well to make the necessary inquiries before affixing a penny stamp on letters to foreign parts.-! am, etc., Wellington, January 7.