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importation into the country of destination. Previously the transmission of articles having a saleable value was restricted to the letter or parcel-post. Congress increased from 3 kilograms (6J lb.) to 5 kilograms (11 lb.) the weight of literature printed in raised type for the use of the blind. It is now provided that unregistered packets may not contain securities payable to bearer, platinum, gold, or silver, manufactured or not. The sender by a suitable note on the address side of a postal article may forbid the redirection of the article. Postage on printed papers may be prepaid by means of impressions of the printing-press or any other process authorized by the internal regidations of an Administration, provided the name of the office of posting and the legend " Postage paid " or some similar expression appear on the wrapper. Congress decided that Administrations must recommend to the public to address postal packets parallel to the length of the article, and in such a way as to leave sufficient space for service notes or labels. In the case of a packet forwarded at a reduced rate, the class to which it belongs should be indicated on the article. In respect of articles enclosed in " window " envelopes, Congress decided that only the name and address of the addressee may appear in the panel, and that the contents of the envelope must be secured by folding in such a manner that the address cannot be partly or wholly concealed by the slipping of the enclosure. The address of articles enclosed in "window" envelopes must be very legilaly indicated in ink or by means of the typewriter. Ink-pencil or ordinary pencil is not permitted to be used in addressing such missives. The regulations regarding the forwarding by post of liquids, oils, and substances which easily liquefy previously provided for the enclosure of the liquids, &c., in glass bottles hermetically sealed. Congress decided on a modification, in that such liquids, &c., may now be enclosed in receptacles hermetically closed. A cover is no longer required for articles in a single piece, such as a piece of wood, metal, &c., which it is not the custom of commerce to wrap. In future, printed-papers postage prepaid by means of impressions of the printing-press or by,other methods need not be date-stamped at the office of posting. In the case of unclaimed correspondence it was decided that the reason for non-delivery is to be indicated in the French language on the back of postal packets, except in the case of post-cards and printed papers in the form of a card, when the cause of non-delivery may be indicated on the right-hand half of the address side. A new provision makes it obligatory for an Administration to accept inquiries concerning articles posted in another Administration. It is no longer necessary for an Administration to forward a blank letter-bill in the event of no correspondence being available for despatch, provided that it is the practice of the Administration concerned to number its letter-bills in an annual series. Administrations must now be advised by telegraph in the event of mails showing evidence of pillage. A committee of fourteen members was appointed by Congress to undertake the preparatory work and examination of proposals for the next Postal Union Congress, to be held in Cairo in the spring of 1934. Brigadier-General P. H. Williamson was again appointed Chairman of this Preparatory Committee, which will meet in Ottawa, Canada, in the summer or autumn of 1933. The Congress concluded on the 28th June. The Postal Union Convention of London comes into force on the Ist July, 1930. EMPLOYMENT OF PARTIALLY-DISABLED RETURNED SOLDIERS AS PART-TIME POSTMEN. The morning delivery of correspondence by postmen in the inner business portions of the cities of Christchureh and Wellington was expedited during the year by the employment in each city of four partially-disabled returned soldiers as part-time postmen. As a result, nine city deliveries have been relieved, in Christchurch and eleven in Wellington, the gain in delivery-time of correspondence in some cases being as much as one and a half hours. In the near future it is intended to put a similar scheme into operation in Auckland. DECENTRALIZATION OF POSTMEN AT WELLINGTON. The scheme of decentralization of postmen in Wellington, by which a number of postmen commence their walks from the Kilbirnie and Wellington South offices instead of from the Chief Post-office, appears to be meeting with success, and, as expected, has resulted in a considerable saving in expenditure. When the scheme has been in operation for twelve months it is intended to review its working, and to consider the question of extending the system to other centres. DIRECT MAIL ADVERTISING. In New Zealand direct mail advertising is being accorded an increasingly important part in the advertising programmes of business firms. The Department itself advertises by this method. It has had delivered by direct mail to business firms a folder extolling the benefits of direct mail advertising. Direct mail advertising has also been utilized to assist the telephone side of the Service, distributions having been made to householders throughout the Dominion of publicity matter pointing out to the