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APPENDIX E. No. 3.—lxT&uc'or.oxr.u, M.vrxEaa. "We liave the honor to submit the following report on intercolonial matters remitted to us by Ministers : —■ 1. Proposed neiv form of intercolonial letter-hill. Wo submit for adoption now forms of letter-bill 1 and 2 for use intercolonially. 2. Question of allowing on the face of covers of boohs, catalogues, Sfc, anything beyond the name, occupation, and address of senders and addressees. We recommend that no objection be raised to auy printed matter being allowed on the covers of articles entitled to pass at book rate, provided that a clear and conspicuous space be left for the address of the article. 3. Question of revising the Australasian Postal Convention. We do not think it would lead to any good result if a revision wore attempted at this sitting. "Wo recommend that the matter bo allowed to stand over until another opportunity offers for giving attention thereto. 4. Question of having Postal Guides on uniform lines. In compliance with the request contained in a resolution of the Hobart Conference of 1895, the Postmaster-General of South Australia has submitted a specimen of a proposed uniform Postal Ouido. Wo advise that copies be sent to the Postal Departments of the other Colonies for consideration and report. 5. Question of reducing the commission on Money Orders to the United Kingdom. We consider that the commission on Money Orders to the United Kingdom should be reduced and made uniform throughout tho Australasian Colonies, and recommend for the consideration of the other Postal Administrations tho following rates, namely : — s. d. Not exceeding £1 0 6 Between £1 and £2 1 0 £2 „ £4 ... ~ 1 G £1 „ £G 2 0 £6 „ £8 3 0 „ £8 „ £10 4 0 We further advise that the above rates be extended to Capo Colony, which country has intimated its desire for a reduction in tho present charges. G. Postal Union Congress. This matter has been dealt with in special report relating to tho Washington Congress. 10. Question of apportioning between the Australasian Colonies the cost of future Conferences. Whilst we consider this to be a question more for Ministers than ourselves to deal with, we respectfully venture to express the opinion that the practice of the colony in which the Conference is held bearing the expense is the more desirable one. The first deparlure from the above practice was in tho case of the Ilobart Conference of 1895 ; but the circumstances were exceptional. As it has been decided that these Intercolonial Conferences are to bo held every year, the expenses need not, in our judgment, bo necessarily very great. 11. Question of the Colonies adopting a single sum, in lieu of existing rates, as their share of postage on parcels received via the United Kingdom, from European countries. The present Colonial share of postage on parcels from certain foreign countries Via tho United Kingdom is, — s. d. Not exceeding 2lb ... ... ... ... ... 09 Between 2 lb. and 7lb 2 3 Between 7 lb. and 11 lb 3 9 We recommend that, in lieu oE these rates, tho Colonies accept a sum of 2s. Gd. per parcel, light or heavy, up to 11 lb. in weight, as their share of postage on parcels received from countries which may adopt tho principle of a uniform postage per parcel. 12. Hespccting the reduction and apportionment of postage on parcels exchanged between the Unitedj Kingdom and Australasia. This matter has recently been settled by correspondence. Tho rates of postage have been reduced to Is. for the first lb., and Gd. for each additional lb. to 11 lb.. the Colonial share thereof being 7d. and 3d. respectively. 13. Question of allowing the " Objects of the Meeting " to be stated in loriting in Notices of Meetings transmitted by post at packet rate. We recommend that this bo allowed intercolonially. 15. Money Order Telegrams. Wo recommend that tho proposal of Now Zealand to introduce tho Telegraph Money Order System between that Colony and Australia and Tasmania be agreed to. Our experience of the system which is now in force between the Australian Colonies and Tasmania does not lead us to anticipate that any serious risk would bo incurred by extending it to New Zealand. We advise that tho usual money order commissions bo charged, plus the cost of a ten word telegraph message to the paying office, and another to the payee. Iβ.