The Hawaiian gazette., 1883-07-25
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New zealand and tho Postal Union

hnT Zealand and the FO@l4Al DAAuAs
Though New Zealand was uurepreseuted
at the recent Iniercolonial Postal Conference
in Sydney. the result OF the deliberations can
not fail to be of interest here. BY the absence
Of any representative OF our Government, It
would appear that we are shut out from par
ticipation in some sure and immediate advan-
tages which viii result to the other colonies.
The most important Of these advantages lies
in the reduction Of intercolonial talegrapmc
rates. The Conference resolved that SO iaT
as New South Wales. Victoria, and tasmania
are concerned, messages should be transmitted
over the land lines Of any two colonies al the
price of one shilling for the inst ten words,
and twopence for each additional word; over
the three colonies, ten words ioT is %, ana
threepence for each additional woad; the sum
10 he equally divided among the colonies per
forming the service. Submarine cable charges
arc 10 be charged in addition; but the reduc-
ton made is great boon 70 the commercial
and general community That New Zealand
might have participated in this advantage,
there can be no reasonable dolbt; and it IS
evident that the Geographic rates now in force
between this and the Australian colonies are
10 great extent prohibitiye. il is therefore
matter Of regret that it was found impossible
10 send a Minister from this colony to the late
Conference. As TO the question Of joining the
Postal Union, 1t is still open for us to do so:
and SO far as we can see, New Zealand loses
nothing through not cooperating with the
other colonies. The resolutions come 20 by
the Conference on this subject arc as follow
l. That the Australasian colonies should
apply foT admission 10 the said Postal Union.
p That the stipulations suggested by the
Postmaster-G General Of England in the des-
patch dated 9Th November, lSs2, rs precedent
10 such entry, be insisted upon.
3. That each OF the Ausiralasian colonies,
parties TO the agreement, be accorded O sep
arato voice in the affairs Of the union.
T. That each colony continue the manage
ment and responsibility Of its existing sub
sidised line. But that any other colony using
such line shall pay the subsidising colony the
full amount of postage upon all postal matter
despatched from such colony, the subsldisIng
colony paying all transit rates on homeward
mails, and receiving the proportion Of union
transit rates due on outward mails, and any
contribution from England in respect to the
postal matter carried by each line.
;. That It. on annual investigation, 1t be
shown that by adopting postal union rates
any such subsidising colony incurs a greater
loss that II at present incurs (subiect in the
notifications consequent upon the reduced
Pacific mail contract now being entered into,
an adjustment shall be made of such excess OF
loss, whereby it shall be borne by the sub
sidising colony, and the other colonies using
such line in proportion to the postal matter.
6. That no future postal subsidy shall bc
subject TO this agreement except by the una
nim0us approval Of the colonies asserting
hereto.
There is nothing to object TO in this basis Of
Joint action on the part OF the colonies, will
the exception Of article fifth, which, as we be-
fore remarked when noticing Mr.. Berry's
memorandum 10 the Conference. seems desig-
ned to get the other colonies TO share the
burden Of Nictoria's heavy mail subsidy. Il
is little to the point 10 say that Victoria, I'M
der the new arrangement, will lose more
heavily than any other colony. on account o.
reduction in postal rates What our Govern
ment have 10 consider is whether the counter
vailing advantages are such as 70 justify then
in giving a contribution TO the 7. and o. mai
subsidy. Tho question will doubtless b'
brought before the House Of Representatives
in some form, when It Is TO be hoped somt
useful information will be ELECTED. What w
would impress upon our Legislators, Is thI
absence Of any necessity for adopting ihG
Cu1 anu uIiSu 1esolU'luAs N4 d Nu.4'e' - ~,
at which they were unrepTesented. The
colonies claim each to have . separate voice
in the affairs to the Postal Union, and New
Zealand can surely enter it single-handed as
well as in company with the others The
other colonies, though going on without us
do not exclude us, but continue TO invite oul
cooperation, and it would be discourteous il
our Legislators did not at any rate consider
the subject, and report their determination &c
the sister colonies. Nsl- Zsaluld TINES.