Bail On Export Of Used, Unused Stamps

Northern Advocate, 14 September 1940, Page 2

Bail On Export Of Used, Unused Stamps

Posted in the vestibule of the Whangarei Post Office is .an intimation which has caused a great deal of consternation to amateur stamp collectors. It reads: “The Controller of Censorship has directed that transmission by post of used and unused postage stamps to foreign countries, except, by recognised stamp dealers, is

not permitted.” This virtually spells the end of philatelic activities for a large number of amateur collectors whose exchange ramifications girdle the globe. One of their number, Mr T. Conaghari, of Whangarei, has forwarded protests to the Postmaster-General .and other authorities. A collector of 25 years' standing he has built up connections in most countries. Amateurs Hit Hard. With some of his correspondents he has been in direct touch for 15 years and he considers that the present regulations, for which he cannot ascribe a reason, inflict a distinct and unnecessary hardship upon himself and others. No other country, to his knowledge, prohibits the export of used stamps. This year, to one pen friend in Illinois alone, Mr Conaghan says he has forwarded £4O worth of the Centennial issue, receiving American stamps in exchange. Considering that there was no call upon dollar or sterling exchange in the dealings of New Zealand amateurs, the Government, by its new regulations will lose heavily in revenue, Mr Conaghan believes. Cede Possibilities. Another point of view was advanced by the president of the NorthlafVd Philatelic Society (Mr J. F. Johnson), who is also a recognised dealer. It was possible to use postage stamps as a code, Mr Johnson said,. For instance a German stamp could be known as A, a Czech stamp as B and so forth. The meaning of foreign words imprinted on stamps was known to few New Zealand collectors, and in this w,ay also, a perfect code could be built up. “Export of stamps could be a good outlet for anyone wanting to be a fifth columnist," Mr Johnson, remarked. It would be possible to plan a code using the hundreds of U.S.A. issues alone, he said. Nazi Stamps in Demand. Perhaps it v/as only coincidence, but since the outbreak of war he had been asked to supply more German stamps than those of any other country, except those of British colonies. Stamps bearing the portrait of Hitler were in especial demand —maybe only as novelties, but there might be an ulterior motive as well. Some countries —for instance, Hungary, Turkey and Greece —issued stamps showing fortifications, which would be a useful base for any espionage agent to work upon. It was wrong to think that New Zealand was the first country to prohibit the export of used stamps. Soviet Ban. Since the Soviet invasion, Finland had. done so, while for several years Russia herself had prevented the export of used stamps, except sheets postmarked without being used on letters. Mr Johnson agreed that the State would lose considerable revenue owing to the restrictions. For instance, many sets of Centennial stamps were bought at their face value of 4/51 on behalf of foreign collectors. The Government received this amount for a cost of about Jd in paper. Information had been received recently that all stamps sent to England must first be addressed to the Philatelic Bureau where they would be tested for concealed codes, before being forwarded to the individual recipient.