STAMP DEALING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 23 October 1940, Page 3

STAMP DEALING

CENSORSHIP AND CUSTOMS REQUIREMENTS. STATEMENT BY MINISTER. From the number of enquiries on the subject received by the postal authorities, it would appear that a good deal of misunderstanding exists at present regarding matters relating to the sending of stamps overseas and dealing in stamps. To clarify the position and for the benefit of the public generally, the following statement has been released by the Postmaster-General (the Hon. P. C. Webb):— At the outset, said the Minister, it may be mentioned that the position is governed by three factors, namely, censorship requirements, customs requirements, and post office requirements. For reasons that have already been made public, the Controller of Censorship has directed that postagestamps of any kind, except “mint” stamps of any country forwarded by recognised stamp dealers, may not be sent overseas by any person. This restriction does not. however, extend' to the transmission abroad of first-flight and first-day covers.

Recognised dealers who are permitted as above to export "mint" stamps are required to comply with the provisions of the Export Prohibition Emergency Regulations, 1939, and the Export Licenses Regulations, 1938. Both these regulations are administered by the Customs Department, and dealers who are desirous of sending “mint” stamps (of any country) to overseas destinations must make application to that Department for the necessary permit or license. Authority from the Customs Department is required irrespective of the value of the stamps proposed to be forwarded.

The combined effect of the censorship and Customs restrictions is, therefore, as follows: — 1. No used stamps of any kind may be sent out of New Zealand. 2. Unused stamps may be sent out of the Dominion only by stamp dealers recognised by the censorship authorities and only after the dealer has obtained authority from the Customs Department. It will be apparent that the private individual is not at present able to send stamps of any kind outside New Zealand.

Apart and entirely distinct from the foregoing is the effect of the Adhesive Stamp Act, 1939, and the Adhesive Stamps Regulations, 1940, under which persons who sell or deal in New Zealand stamps require to be licensed. Two classes of license are issued, name-’ ly, (a) license to sell current stamps and (b) license to deal in stamps. Individual members of philatelic societies who circulate stamps through the medium of such organisations are not regarded as coming within the provisions of the Adhesive Stamps Regulations. If unused New Zealand stamps are sold through the medium of such organisations, however, a class “b” license to cover the operations referred to must be obtained by the society. Individual members of societies who

deal in unused New Zealand stamps otherwise than through the societies’ exchange branches will, of course, require to be licensed. A license is not required merely to exchange stamps.