STAMP DEALING

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 25 October 1940, Page 3

STAMP DEALING

CENSORSHIP AND CUSTOMS REQUIREMENTS EXPLANATION BY MINISTER From the number of enquiries on the subject received by the Postal authorities, it would appear that a good deal of misunderstanding exists at present regarding matters relating to the sending of stamps overseas and dealing in stamps. I To clarify the position and for the benefit of the public generally the following statement has been released by the Postmaster-General .(the Hon. P. C. Webb):—

At the outset, said the Minister, it may be mentioned that the position is governed by three factors, namely, censorship requirements, customs requirements, and Post Office requirements.

For reasons that have already been made public, the Controller of Censorship has directed that postage-stamps of any kind, except “mint” stamps of any country forwarded by recognised stamp dealers, may not be sent overseas by any person. This restriction does not, however, extend to the transmission abroad of first-flight .and firstday covers. It should be noted that a person licensed by the Post Office to deal in stamps is not necessarily a “recognised dealer” for the purpose of this restriction.

Recognised dealers who are permitted as above to export “mint" stamps are required to comply with the provisions of the Export Prohibition Emergency Regulations, 1939, and the Export Licenses Regulations, 1938. Both these regulations are administered by the Customs Department, and dealers who are desirous of sending “mint” stamps (of any country) to overseas destinations must make application to that department for the necessary permit or license. Authority from the Customs Department is required irrespective of the value of the stamps proposed to be

forwarded. The combined effect of the censorship and customs restrictions is, therefore, as follows: 1. No used stamps of any kind may be sent out of New Zealand. 2. Unused stamps may be sent out of the Dominion only by stamp dealers recognised by the Censorship Authorities and only after the dealer has obtained authority from the Customs Deportment.

It will be apparent that the private individual is not at present able to send stamps of any kind outside New Zealand.