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The present Conference has already proposed to include the conveyance of parcels by ocean contract steamers without any extra payment. .We consider that the transit rate of 2d. per lb. now paid between Sydney or Melbourne to New Zealand or Tasmania is too high, and we recommend that the Victorian Postal Department be requested to endeavour to obtain lower rates. We notice that in the Queensland Act, section 63, provision is made for a payment of Is. for every 28 lb. weight of parcels. (b) Transit Rates (land) — We recommend the adoption of the following proposal by New Zealand: —" That Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland should receive parcels from New Zealand for Eastern Countries, and forward them with their own parcel mails, New Zealand to reciprocate in connection with parcel mails from the other colonies for the South Sea Islands. The rates to be reduced as far as practicable." (c) Extension to New South Wales and United States of America — It is reported that New South Wales has provided in a Postal Bill for the extension of the parcel post intercolonially and inland, and it is hoped that the measure will soon become law. We recommend that negotiations be opened with the United States of America with the view to the introduction of the parcel post between the United States and the Australian colonies. (d) Collection of Customs duties at every parcel post office — It is recommended that the practice which obtains of collecting duty on parcels at the port or place of arrival should be continued. (c) With United Kingdom — .New Zealand suggests that London bo requested to modify the agreement between tho United Kingdom and the other colonies, so as to secure a uniform standard, preferably that of Queensland, which provides the same British inland rate on foreign as on English parcels. We recommend that the present system be continued. (f) Without names of senders (unclaimed) — We recommend that the rules now in force be continued. This matter is fully provided for in the Intercolonial Draft Convention, sections 15 and 20 of Article 21. (g) Insurance (rates, &c.) — We propose that the recommendation of the Hobart Conference of 1892 —namely, that the system of insurance and compensation be not adopted —be adhered to. (h) Postal Union system (intercolonially)— New Zealand suggests the application of Parcel Post Union principles intercolonially. We recommend that this be disagreed to. 13. Express Postal Deliyery. We consider that the objections raised at Hobart to the system still exist. 14. Letter Cards. We have considered the question of the introduction of letter cards inland and intercolonially, but are. unable to arrive at a unanimous agreement. The Representatives of New South Wales and South Australia proposed a lid. card, which was disagreed to. The only colony wdiich uses letter cards is Victoria, where they are charged for at the rate of Is. 3d. per doz., or l|d. each, their face value being Id. 15. Sending Unmarked Stamps to Berne. We recommend that all stamps sent to the Berne Bureau bo cancelled, or marked " specimen." 16 and 23 (/). Reconsideration of Packet Rates. The Representatives of the New South Wales and Victorian Departments proposed that packets containing purely printed matter should be exchanged at a rate of |d. per 2 oz. with a minimum charge of Id., but it was decided by a majority that the present rates be continued intercolonially. 17. Uniformity of Statistics in Annual Postal Reports. It is suggested that the Sydney Office be requested to prepare forms of statistics, with a view to uniformity in the Annual Reports of the Departments of the various Colonies. 18. Telegraph

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