NEWSPAPER POSTAGE TO GREAT BRITAIN.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 9692, 8 May 1893, Page 2

NEWSPAPER POSTAGE TO GREAT BRITAIN.

From the date of the entry of t'.io Australian colonies into the Universal Postal Union, Ist October, 1891, tho rates of postage to bo levied on newspapers has been a qutttio vetatn. Tho postal union rate? provide that piinted papo-s of overy desuiiption ( newspapers, as such, not being specially recognised) eh ill bear a postngo of o£d per 2oz , or a penny per 4 oz-, in steps 2 or 4 oz. respect ivoly. As the ordinary Melbourne daily papers weigh under 4oz. this would not disturb existing arrangements, as Id. would still ; carry them. But special issues and weekly | papers weighing , over 4oz. would be chargeable with double tho postage which had for many years been paid them. Tho British postal authorities, recognising that a sudden rising of j tho rates on newspapers would be an in- [ convenience to the colonies, consented to i overlook for a time Iho irregularity of their j beins forwarded at the rates obtaining i be ore the union had been joinod, ana I consequently, while for foreign countries the rate on newspapers has been, for tho laet two years and a half, Id per 4 oz., Great Britain has received our newspapers, irrespective of weight, at the rate or Id each. The British authorities have now however cloarly notified that tho concession (which really was not alLwable) "must ceuse, and that the regulatians under which newspapers aro posted in Australia must conform with thoso of tho Postal , Union

The subject was brought for * ard at the Postal Conference, recently held at BriB« bane, and it was agreed that from the let July next the rates to tho United Kingdom Bhall be:— Each uewspaper not exceeding 4oz, Id; every additional 2oz or fraction thereof, o£d. It will bo observed that under this rate newspapers exceeding 4oz, but not exceeding 6oz, enn bo posted to Great Britain for tlreo halfpence, while to other countries outside Australasia tho rate would be 2d, te, Id for tvery 4oz. This concession in favor of the United Kingdom is mado under a special agreement with the British poßtal authorities, who havo givon their consent thereto, It should be noted that under the above special rate each newspaper must bear a postage of at least Id, so that if two newspapers posted in ono pared weighing undor 4oz. bore only Id postage the parcel would be liable to a tax on delivery of 2d, being double the deficient postage. It may bo remarked that tho above alteration in the rate of newspaper postage has been forced upon tho colonies (though certainly with no unduo haßto) by the postal authorities of tho United Kingdom in compliance with the Postal Union Regu1 itions, and as already complaints are being received here of ovor weight papers being taxed on delivery in various parts of Great Britain, it is considered tho new rales will be brought under public notice none too soon.