THE POSTAL CONFERENCE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XV, Issue 4370, 23 March 1893, Page 3

THE POSTAL CONFERENCE.

The Hw Zealand and the Suez Mail Contract, Brisbane, March 21, At the Postal Conference to-day tho Hon. J. G. Ward, New Zoalnhd, moved that the colonies bo represented by ono delegate at the Postal Union Congress in Paris in 1895. leaking to tho motion Mr Ward expressed tho opinion that the delegate chosen should bo tho permanent head of a colonial Postal Department, Important matters affecting all the colonies would bo dealt with at tho Congress, and it would bo useless if the representative were appointed from London, as he would bow nothing of tho requirements of the colonics. Tho resolution was carried. In regard to tho new contract for the carriage of Home mails via Suez, Mr Ward suggested that tenders be advertised for in tho colonies in addition to England, and also that 000 l Btorngoi|flrovided for colonial produce on nSl«boats, Ho said he would not oppose tho renewal of the contraot, as New Zealand was not affected by it, but he was opposed to tho subsidy system, considering the amount paid was excessive. He lookod forward to a large reduction in tho charge for transit of mails between the colonics and Europe and urged the Australian colonies io adopt the same sysiOtH ob Now Zealand, viz, payment for actual weight carried. ■ The Conference oslied Mr Ward to agree to New Zealand joining the contract, but he declined, pointing out that the Colony was already supporting the San Francisco service, which l&aed it better. Ward's views were concurred in by tho Conference, and after considerable discussion the new contract wus passed, Now Zealand standing out, The question of fumigation of mails was discussed, and it was decided that in future all mails, including those for New Zealand, should bo fumigated immediately on arrival at Adelaide instead of at the port of destination, as at present,