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19. Universal Beply Letter-cards. Tho sale of reply post-cards in the Australasian Colonies is very limited, and it is evident that the great body of the public prefer to transact their correspondence by means of ordinary sealed letters (employing their own material for tho purpose), which_ permits them to communicate at greater length than would be possible by means of letter-cards. It is probable that a larger number of reply letter-cards would be received from Union countries than would be despatched hence, which would entail loss of revenue on the Colonies ; but even were the number of reply letter-cards in both directions to be equal, the general or an extensive use of reply letter-cards by the public of the Colonies would cause a diminution of postal receipts. For these reasons we are not favourable to the exchange of reply letter-cards with Postal Union countries. Letter-card System. We are not favourably impressed with the letter-card system, unless tho postage can be made equal to letter rate. Tho revenue suffers by conveying them at a lower rate, and the postal departments are put to tho expense of manufacturing the cards. Moreover the rates in the Colonies are not uniform being as follows : — New South "Wales and New Zealand 1-Jd. each Victoria and Queensland , 2d. ~ The system is not in ojieration in South Australia, Tasmania, or Western Australia. 20. He-arrangement of the division of postage on intercolonial parcels. Queensland proposes that, as regards parcels exchanged between New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, and South Australia, the postage of Bd. for the first pound, and 6d. for each additional pound should be equally divided, namely: —Despatching Office, 4d. for first pound, 3d. each additional pound ; Receiving Office, 4d. for first pound, 3d. each additional pound ; but that tho division of postage on parcels exchanged between the above-named Colonies and New Zealand, Tasmania, and Western Australia should remain as at present, " because in their case a sea rate has to bo paid, and the number of parcels exchanged is small in both directions." It is the practice, in exchanges of parcels between British Colonies, to allow each office of despatch a sufficient sum to cover cost of transmission to destination, and to equally divide the balance of postage between the two offices of exchange. This is the principle at present in operation between the Australasian Colonies, the postage on parcels exchanged being divided as follows, namely : — Despatching office, sd. for first Ds.; 4d. each additional IT). Receiving office, 3d. for first Ifc.; 2d. each additional ft.; the additional 2d. per ft. allowed to flio office of despatch being intended to cover cost of transmission by sea or rail to destination. The Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide offices have been in correspondence on the subject, and we would point out that one of the objects of the Australasian Colonies for some years past has been to secure uniformity between themselves in postal matters, but tho adoption of the Queensland proposal would disturb the uniformity in division of postage at present existing between the Colonies, and establish two entirely different modes of apportioning such postage. After considering the matter we advise that a decision be deferred. Tjjlegbai'ii Matters. 7. Telegraph Code, Alteration of. The use by New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and Queensland of a code which differs from that in use in New Zealand, Western Australia, and the rest of the world (America only excepted) is undesirable. The adoption of tho uniform code, as fixed by the International Telegraphic Bureau, is preferable. The Colonies arc further bound by their membership with that bureau to adopt this code. The only objection to the alteration is the risk of error on the first introduction of a new code. It is considered that the change can bo made with a minimum of inconvenience by dating it from the first of July next. We therefore recommend its adoption from that date. 8. Code Addresses. Wo recommend, —(1) That code addresses bo not adopted intercolonially, except in the case of Tasmania and New Zealand, which for this purpose are international. (2) That in connection w r ith international messages code surnames be not accepted. 9. Reply-paid Teleijramt, No report to make. 11. Seduction of Intercolonial Telegraph Rales. We refrain from making any recommendation. We would, however, suggest for the consideration of Ministers that in the event of an alteration of the rates being made, it should be on the basis of tho International principle of counting addresses and signatures, as recommended at the Conferences held in Adelaide and Sydney, in 1890 and 1891, respective!v. ]8.