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16. Parcels Post Convention ivith France. In 1891 tlie London Office forwarded to the several Colonial Offices copies of a draft Convention find detailed regulations?, prepared by Prance, for an exchange of parcels with Australia. The proposed Convention and regulations relating thereto were considered at tho Ilobart (1805) Conference, and the Permanent Heads made the following report and recommendation?, viz..: — " 31. Parcel Post Convention with Prance, " In July last the London Post Office informed tho Colonies that the French Post Office desired a direct exchange of parcels between Prance and Australia by the Prench Mail Steamers (Mcssageries Maritimes), and, the proposal having been approved of by the Home Authorities, forwarded a draft Convention and regulations for the consideration of the Colonies. " We have considered tho draft submitted, and recommend that its provisions be agreed to, but that the following suggestions be made : — " Article G. That no fee for porterage and for the execution of Customs formalities be collected in the Colonies from the addressees of parcels from Prance. " Article 14. That the introduction of the system of acknowledgment of delivery of parcels remain in abeyance until the system be adopted generally. " Eegulation 2. That the postage progress pound, by pound, instead of in steps of 2 lb., 7 lb., 11 lb., as more consistent with the Colonial and English practice. " Eegulation 0. —3. That the Customs declaration forms be drawn up in the English language, and bear a sublineary translation in Prench, as is done with Postal Union forms. " Eegulation 8. —3. That the provision that mails 'be landed, as far as possible, at the Custom House' be omitted as unnecessary, as Customs work is done at the Post Offices. " That it be provided that the cost of receptacles be shared equally between the countries of exchange. " Eegulation 12. That in lieu of this a simple regulation providing for the preparation of a quarterly account, and for the payment of the balance due as early as possible after the same has been ascertained bo substituted." And at a meeting held in Adelaide, in July, 1595, of representatives from the Postal Departments of New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia, the matter received further attention, and was reported on as follows : — " The London Office, in a letter dated 22nd April, 1895, submits a proposal from the French Office suggesting an addition to Article 1, as follows: — "2. The Post Offices of the two countries shall later on be at liberty, if their regulations allow, to mutually fix rates and conditions for insured and ' collection' parcels. " We see no objection to this addition, as it is purely permissive, and does not impose new conditions. " Article 10. —We advise that this Article, which provides for indemnity up to 15 or 25 francs in the case of loss of, or damage to, parcels, be expunged. We find that in the Eeport of Permanent Heads submitted to the Hobart Conference, a recommendation to the above effect was omitted, although the Australasian Offices were unanimously iv favour if omitting the clause in question." The recommendations of the Hobart Conference were communicated to tho London Office, and a reply was received from that Office, stating that the principal suggestions of such Conference had been communicated to the Prench Post Office, and intimating : — Articles G and 14.—That as these Articles are purely permissive, no alteration of the Convention is necessary. Eegulation 2.—That the French Post Office has no objection to the postage rates on parcels from Australia progressing pound by pound, and pointing out that if the postage on parcels exchanged between the United Kingdom and Australia be reduced (as has since been done), a similar reduction will, under Article 3 of the draft Convention, have to be made in the postage on parcels exchanged between Prance and Australia. Eegulations 0 and B.—That in view of the explanations furnished, these regulations might stand as printed. Eegulation 12.—This regulation has been amended to meet the views of tho Colonies. Cost of Eeceptaclew.—An assurance is given that there will bo no difficulty in making satisfactory arrangements on this subject. These proposals met with the concurrence of the Sydney and Adelaide Offices. The latter Office communicated with tho other Colonies on the subject, and it was ultimately decided that the matter be considered at this Conference. We recommend that the draft Convention as amended be agreed to, and that the Colonial share of postage on parcels from Prance be fixed at 2s. Id. (2 francs 50 centimes) up to 3 kilogrammes (7 lb.), and 3s. Id. (3 francs 70 centimes) between 3 and 5 kilogrammes (11 lb.) ; and tho postage on parcels from Australia to Prance, Algeria, and Corsica might be: — s. d. s. d. Not exceeding Ilb 3 G 3 B,} Between 1 lb. and 2lb 3 9 31U Between 2 lb. and 3lb 4 0 4 2. 1 . Between 3 lb. and 4lb 4 3 4 8$ Between 4 lb. and slb 4 G 4 Hi Between 5 lb. and Glb 4 9 4 11.} Between 6 lb. and 7lb 5 0 5 2£ Between 7 lb. and Blb 5 3 5 sjj Between 8 lb. and 9lb 5 G 5 B} s Between 9 lb. and 10 lb 5 9 f> 1H Between 10 lb. and 11 lb 0 0 G 21--10.