23

F.—2,

Hon. Mr Wilson (Queensland) I would suggest that New South Wales be asked to take the necessary action in this matter, and perhaps, on its being gone into carefully, a further acceleration might be seen to be advisable, especially between New South Wales and South Australia. I hopo that this will be done, because at present the mail arrangements between Brisbane and Sydney are very unsatisfactory I need not go further into the matter, as the permanent heads are quite familiar with the whole subject, and have gone into it carefully, and I am glad to see that some acceleration will be made. Subject 4 agreed to. Postages. Subject 5 Paragraph (a) ■ Division of postages between the United Kingdom and the colonies, read and agreed to. Paragraph (b) : Postages on newspapers to United Kingdom, read. Hon. Mr Wabd (New Zealand) In regard to subsection (6) of this paragraph, this has not been tho policy of New Zealand , but, as some of our newspapers are being surcharged by the London Post Office tinder the rates we have been charging, it appears to me that, in the interests of the posters, lam bound to the uniform system. I also desire to say I favour the London rate —that is, a minimum rate of Jd. for 2 ounces. As, however, I cannot get that, I have, under the circumstances, to agree to the proposal which is made here. Paragraph (b) agreed to. Subject 8 Question of landing English mails in certain cases at Glenelg instead of Semaphore. Bead and agreed to. Univeesal Postal Union Subject 7. Convention and detailed regulations, Unimportant amendments to, during recess, of International Congresses. Bead and agreed to. Subject 10 Metric system of weights, As to avoirdupois equivalent for 350 grammes. Bead and agreed to. Subject 11 Sea surtax, As to charging of, by Italy Bead and agreed to. Subject 12 : Glassware, Transmission of samples of. Bead and agreed to. Subject 13 Demonetization of stamps, Question of uniformity of practice. Bead and agreed to. Subject 14 : Begistered letters, Acknowledgment of receipt of. Bead and agreed to. Subject 14 (a) Question whether the colonies might not fairly object to deliver English packets prepaid -Jd. whilst Id. is levied in the colonies. And the paragraph relating thereto having been read, Hon. Mr. Wakd (New Zealand) said I desire to record my dissent from the recommendation contained in this clause. I do so because in this colony our rate is already a halfpenny rate, which conforms to that charged by England upon outward matter, and, in addition to that, I dissent from the recommendation, as I think the principle of foreign countries having a cheap rate to the colonies, such as this, is one that should be encouraged. Hon. Dr Cockbubn (South Australia) This seems rather a serious matter, and under the existing arrangements we are certainly placed at a great disadvantage. According to the report it appears that many people send their circulars not only to be posted in England at the halfpenny rate, but also to be printed there. We should remonstrate against this at the earliest possible opportunity In addition to bringing the question before the next International Congress, we should make joint representations to the Post Office authorities in England on the subject, and I therefore beg to move, That this Conference, on behalf of the colonies represented, desires to make a joint representation requesting that the postage rate be raised from to Id., so as to bring it into uniformity with the rate charged on such matter despatched from the Australian Colonies. Hon. Mr Wabd (New Zealand) . That is the recommendation of the report. Hon. Dr Cockbubn (South Australia) That recommendation will be acted upon in about two years hence, and in the meantime we shall have the present unfair arrangement continuing. I certainly approve of the report, but still we should leave no stone unturned to obtain justice before the meeting of the next International Congress. Hon. Mr. Kidd (New South Wales). 1 would like to point out that the rate charged by England is the Union rate, and that, as with New Zealand, they are acting quite within their rights. This doubtless entails a heavy loss upon the Governments in the various colonies, but Ido not see how we are going to remedy it, unless we make representations urging that the penny rate be reverted to, and that this be the Union rate. At present a double injustice is being done to us, as is shown by the report. If the Hon. Dr. Cockburn would alter his resolution so as to read, that we submit this recommendation to the Berne Bureau that the rate be increased to Id., and that we try at the same time to get the Imperial authorities to agree to this, pointing out how inconvenient this loss is, they might, I think, see their way to revert to the penny charge. Hon. Mr Waed (New Zealand) I would suggest the following addition to 14 (a) " and that a request be addressed from this Conference to the authorities of the London Post Office to assist the colonies in this respect." Hon. Dr Cockbukn (South Australia) I move, That paragraph 14(a) be agreed to, with the addition suggested by the President. Hon. Mr. Wynne (Victoria) I second that. Hon. Mr Waed (New Zealand) It is understood, gentlemen, that I dissent from this recommendation. Amendment proposed To add to the paragraph, " and that a request be addressed from this Conference to the authorities of the London Post Office to assist the colonies in this respect."