POSTAL CONFERENCE.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XLIII, Issue 15000, 14 July 1898, Page 2

POSTAL CONFERENCE.

(BT EIiIiCTRIO TaiiKQBAPH— UOPTBISBT.) (Per Pbkss Association.) Received July 14, 12.30 a.m. London, Jvly 13. Tbe Duke of Norfolk, Postmaster. General, has intimated that Great Britain is prepared to enter into a reciprocal arrangement with any colony desiring a reduction to penny or twopence per half-ounce. The Canadian delegates have withdrawn the motion tabled by them in favour of an Imperial penny postage, and substituted a non-commital resolution, on the lines indicated by the Postmaster-General, and which the Conference carried by a considerable majority. Tlie majority of Australian ! delegates abstained from voting. The Hon. Mr Reeves, New Zealand Agent-General, will move a motion, " That tho Conference viewed with re grefc any departure from the principle of Imperial uniformity." Speaking to the motion, he said he thought Australasia would possibly consent to a reduction to twopence in order to secure uuiformity.s The motion was defeated by 7 to 5, Messrs Tozer (Queensland), Cockburn (South Australia), Clark (Victoria), Hooves (New Zealand) and Fraser (Western Australia) supported the motion. ; Mr Cooper the New South Wales delegate abstained from voting, while Mr Fercival (Tasmania) was absent. The Duke of Norfolk submitted that a fresh scale of charges for parcels post would be made throughout the Empire.