THE POSTAL CONFERENCE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2480, 23 March 1893, Page 1

THE POSTAL CONFERENCE.

Brisbane, March 20

The Postal Conference opened to-day. Mr T. Nmnack, Postmaster-General of Queensland, who was elected President, thanked the various colonies through their delegates for the noble assistance they had rendered the sufferers by the late hoods.

March 21

At the Postal Conference to-day, the Hon. J. G. Ward, of New Zealand, moved that the colonies be represented by one delegate at the Postal Union Congress in Paris in 1895. Speaking to the motion, Mr Ward expressed the opinion that the delegate chosen should be the permanent head of the Colonial Postal Department. Important matters affecting all the colonies would be dealt with at the Congress, and it would be useless if a representative were appointed from London, as he would know nothing of the requirements of the colonies. The resolution was carried. In regard to the now contract for the carriage of Home mails, Mr Ward suggested that tenders be advertised in the colonies in addition to England, and that cool storage be provided for colonial produce on mail boats. He said he would not oppose the renewal of the contract, as New Zealand was not affected by it, but he was opposed to the subsidy system, considering that the amount paid was excessive. He looked forward to a largo reduction in the charge for the transit of mails between the colonies and Europe, and urged the Australian colonies to adopt the same system as New Zealand, namely payment for the actual weight carried. The Conference asked Mr Ward to agree to New Zealand joining in the contract, but he declined, pointing out that the colony was already supporting the San Francisco service, which served them better. Mr Ward’s views were concurred in by the Conference. After considerable discussion the new contract was passed, New Zealand standing out. The question of fumigation of mails was discussed, and it was decided that in future all mails, including those for Now Zealand, should be fumigated immediately on arrival at Adelaide, instead of at the port of destination as at present.

Xho Secretary to the Post-office received the following cable from Dr Lemon on Monday afternoon :—“ Brisbane 20th. At Postal Conference to-day Hon. Mr Ward, Postmaster-General New Zealand, gave notice of the following resolution : (1) Affirming the desirability of a second cable route via the Pacific to Vancouver, touching upon such places as may be agreed upon ; (2) Authorising negotiations for a Canadian-Pacific postal service; (3) Regretting the continued non-participation by the United States in the subsidy to the present San Francisco mail service and urging reconsideration, also a reduction in the overland transit rates for the carriage of mails between San Francisco and New York.”