What is the Postal Union.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 6238, 10 June 1890, Page 3

What is the Postal Union.

A contemporary gives the following useful reply to this question “ The union 'had its origin in a congress held at Borne, in Switzerland, at the invitation of the German Government in 1874. A draft treaty was submitted for the adoption of a uniform postage rate. The treaty was discussed by represenlives from all the States of Europe, as well as from Egypt and the United States of America. In October, 1874, it was adopted by all except France, but she has since joined. The International Postal Union thus established has its bureau at Berne, which issues a monthly report in English, French, and German. Every five years a congress of all the States concerned meets to deal with any matters brought before it affecting the Union, This congress sits in different cities, as may be agreed upon. The last sat at Lisbon in 1885. The rates fixed by the Union are classified as A and B. The rates of those under Class A are 2Jd per half ounce for letters, postcards a penny, newspapers and printed matter one halfpenny per two ounces, and papers a penny per four ounces. Under Class B they are higher than the above, and it includes two scales, according to the conditions of transit and country affected. The highest charge, however, is 5d for letters, 2d for postcards, for newspapers (four ounces), and printed paper lid per ounce. If New Zealand joined the Union, the rates under Class A would probably rule for all except letters via Trieste or Brindisi, and those to China or Japan, which might come under the higher rate. Of course the return to our postal revenue would be affected accordingly, but to what probable extent we can only learn when the official estimates are laid before the Assembly, as they no doubt will be.