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No. 24.— Queensland surcharging New Zealand \d. Matter It is desirable that absolutely uniform rates of postage should exist between the Colonies, but as a \d. rate has been in operation in New Zealand for several years, we advise that the other Colonies should agree to accept such matter as fully prepaid. No. 25.— Austro-German proposal for Uniform, Rate of Postage on Parcels up to 11 lbs. The matter has been further considered by this Committee, and although the Austro-German proposal of a uniform rate of postage on parcels up to 11 lbs., irrespective of weight, has been accepted as a temporary measure, we think it very undesirable to have one rate irrespective of weight, as this practice discourages the transmission of light parcels and encourages that of heavy ones. We therefore recommend a graduated scale at per single pound, and that the Berne Bureau and London Office be so informed, and urged that at an early date a graduated scale be adopted between the Colonies and other countries. No. 26.— Liability of Steamship Owners for damages to Parcels to be increased. We recommend that in the new Contract for the Federal Mail Service provision be made for payment of compensation by Contractors for the loss or damage occurring to any parcel, but not in any one case to exceed £5 per parcel, instead of £1 as at present. No. 27.— Insurance of Parcels. This matter has already been under consideration at previous Conferences, but at Hobart and Brisbane it was decided not to adopt the system. The subject has recently been reopened by the London Post Office in a letter dated February, 1894. In this letter, in urging the reconsideration of proposal for Insurance, the London Office states that during a recent year upwards of 21,000 insured parcels were sent to and from the United Kingdom, and in respect of loss or damage the claims met by the Department amounted only to £11 16s. 9d. It was added that considerable public convenience was being afforded in the several parts of the Empire, while the business is more than self-supporting As, however, the International Parcel Post has, as yet, only attained very moderate dimensions, and consequently yields small revenue, we still consider it undesirable to incur the responsibility involved in insuring parcels. No. 28.— Charge Jor Intermediary Service in regard to Intercolonial and Foreign Parcels. We recommend that no alteration be made at present. No. 29.— Parcel Post, United States. Nothiag can be done in this matter, as the United States has twice refused to enter into a Parcel Post Convention with the Colonies. No. 30.— Parcel Post Rates with United Kingdom — Reduction of We recommend that as soon as arrangements are concluded with the P & 0 and Orient Companies to discontinue to make any special charge for the Parcel Post portion of the Mails, the rates be reduced as suggested by London from Is. 6d. for the first 2 lbs. or fraction, and 9d. for each succeeding lb. or fraction, to Is. for the first lb., and 6d. for each additional lb. No. 31. — Parcel Post Convention with Italy — London's offer The London office wrote on October 9, 1894, intimating that it would probably negotiate with the Italian Post Office for a Convention with a view to the establishment of a direct Parcel Post between Italy and Australia similar to the Draft Convention prepared by the French Post Office. We see no objection to such a Convention, subject to the alterations suggested in the Draft Convention submitted by the French Post Office. [See No. 34.] No. 32.— Parcel Post Convention with Malta. We recommend the Parcel F'ost System be established with Malta, but cannot agree to each country retaining its own receipts, as experience shows that we receive a much larger number of parcels from abroad than are despatched, and therefore the usual principle of dividing the postage should be adhered to. The rates and division of postage to be the same as with Gibraltar, as follows:— For the first 2 lbs. .. . Is. 6d. For every additional lb 9d. Division: — Credit of Colony 9d. first two lbs., \\d. each additional lb. Sea U. „ 2d. Gibraltar sd. „ I\d. ~ Is. 6d. 9d.