7

F.—l

All countries, whether they issue reply coupons or not, must in future exchange reply coupons presented to them for a stamp or stamps representing the postage on a single-rate letter. The minimum selling-price of the coupon is fixed at 50 centimes. Correspondence in the international service may be prepaid in future not only by adhesive postage-stamps, but also by impressions of official stamping-machines working under the immediate control of Postal Administrations (not only in post-offices, but also on the premises of firms and individuals). The impressions of such stamps must be in bright-red ink; they must show the amount of postage represented, together with an indication of the country of origin ; and specimen impressions must be sent to the International Bureau to be distributed in the same way as issues of postage-stamps. The principle of adopting typical colours for the postage-stamps used for the principal rates has been maintained, and the stamps for the new letter rate must be blue, the new post-card rate red, and the first rate for printed papers green. In future, statistics for calculating the payments due for the transit of correspondence are to bo taken every three.years, and the statistical periods are to be the first twenty-eight days of May and the twenty-eight days following the 14th October alternately. The result of the statistics to be taken in May, 1921, is to be applied exceptionally to payments on transit accounts for the four years 1920 to .1923 inclusive; the period 15th October to 11th November, 1924, is to apply to the three years 1924 to 1926, and so on. For letters a limit of weight of 2 kilograms (4 lb.) and maximum dimensions (those at present in force for printed papers) have been fixed. Samples may in future be 500 grams (1 lb.) instead of 350 grams (12 oz.) in weight; and single volumes of books as well as printed matter intended for the blind may be sent up to 3 kilograms (61- lb.) in weight, the maximum of 2 kilograms remaining in force, for other printed matter. It is forbidden to attach to post-cards samples of merchandise and similar objects, but the list of articles which may be attached has been enlarged, and now includes illustrations, photographs, stamps of all kinds, address labels and slips to fold, back for address purposes, and labels and cuttings of all kinds, on condition that they consist of paper or other very thin material, that they arc completely adherent to the card, and that they are not of such a nature as to alter the character of cards as post-cards. In the case of samples, cliches (blocks used for printing, engraving, &c.) are now admitted at the sample rate. Corrugated cardboard is admissible for packing glass and liquids, but colouring"matters must in future be sent in tin boxes enclosed in wooden boxes with sawdust between the two receptacles. Samples of articles which would spoil if sent open may be forwarded in hermetically sealed receptacles, the offices of origin or destination having the power to have the contents verified by the sender or the addressee, either by having some receptacles opened or in any other manner. The list of manuscript additions allowed on samples has been enlarged to include the name, position, profession, and address of the sender and of the addressee, as well as the date of despatch, the signature, telephone number, telegraphic address and code, and number of postal or banking account of the sender, and a manufacturer's or trade mark. Similar indications in manuscript are allowed on printed papers, and the following additions have been made to the existing manuscript alterations allowed : The hour and the place of the visit in announcements concerning travellers, and the hour and the ports of departure and arrival in announcements as to ships. A. " dedication " is defined as a simple expression of regard, and it is provided that a dedication may be added on all literary or artistic productions, printed, engraved, hthographed, or mimeographed. To avoid difficulties from variations in the equivalents adopted by various countries for the fixed indemnity of 50 francs payable for the loss of a registered packet, it was decided that the sender alone should have the right to an indemnity, so that the amount paid for the loss of a registered packet should be the same for all packets posted in the same country. Forms of advice of delivery are in future to be printed on cards of the size and thickness of a post-card. When the form has been completed by the office of destination it will be returned directly to the sender, without troubling the office of origin. The following regulations have been adopted in regard to the use of envelopes with " out-out " or transparent panels: Envelopes which are. entirely transparent or have an open panel are prohibited. Transparent panels must form an integral part of the envelope and be placed lengthways, in such a position as to show the address lengthways and as not to interfere with the datestamp ; the panel must be so transparent as to ensure that the address is perfectly legible even by artificial light, and must be so prepared as to take writing. Articles sent in envelopes with transparent panels are definitely admitted to registration. It is now forbidden to send by post opium, morphine, cocaine, and other narcotics (except in insured boxes under proper medical safeguards), and countries which are parties to the Convention must take or propose io their Legislatures measures necessary to prevent and, if necessary, to punish the despatch of these articles by post. Although many other matters were dealt with by the Congress, the foregoing may be regarded as the principal results. The changes instituted by the Congress come into force on the Ist January, 1922, except the alterations in postage charges, which may be brought into force by any Administration on giving one month's notice to the International Bureau of its intention to do so. New Zealand has not raised the international postage-rates. The members of the Congress were most hospitably received and treated by the Spanish Government and various public bodies and institutions throughout Spain, the receptions being on a very lavish scale. The next Congress will meet at Stockholm in 1924.