Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-08-23
A posi- ROUND rHE WORLD.
New Regulations tn Govern the British
Malls for Letter. and Parcels.

POsr ROUND rHE WORLD.
New Regulations tn Cavern the British
Malls fot Letters and PRrcei..
From the London Times
In FRIDAYS Gazette appeared treasury war
rant regulating the postal relations Of this
country with the rest OF the world and taking
effect as from the LIST Of July last. Until re-
Gently such reform would pave been an i'm
possibility. The postal union. indeed. which
has been established many wears. brought with
it uniformity Of rate and conditions over a vide
area. But large and important countries, uota-
bly, some OF our own colonies. long remained
outside the union, or entered ii only on terms
which allowed them to maintain differential
rates.
few years since not even the best-informed
expert could have given a list Of foreign and
colonial rates of postage without some consid-
GRAFTON, and the list would certainly have been
q long one. So complicated indeed, were our
international postal relations that they we're
set forth In more than $50 sets of regulations
and warrants, the long lis. Of which Is appended,
for the purpose OF repeal, to the new docu-
ment. Within recent wears uniformity and
simplicity have gradually taken the place OF
mulflfariousness and compleNity, and the W.T.
rant now issued Is the result Of the change.
The rates of postage from these coasts 20 all
told upon the fingers; the conditions of transit
are governed by Ineligible principles appli-
cable with but slight notifications throughout
the world.
A letter may now he sent from the United
Kingdom 10 any colony or foreign country nj
the rate of 2lsd. for every half ounce In weight.
post card, which is. in fact. an open letter
NAV be forwarded in like manner for a penny.
And packet OF papers. whether printed or
written. not containing anything in the nature
OF personal correspondence. NAV be trans
mitted TO the most distant place at the rate Of
halfpenny for every two ounces-our own in
land book-post rate. The same rates spplies 10
packets OF samples or patterns. Thus we NAV
say that there Is uniform rate for the open
packet post-one baltpenny per two ounces.
One difference only IL observed between the
several kinds Of packets for printed papers the
minimum postage is the initial rate Of half
penny. for written papers one penny and for a
sample packet 2lsd.
Turning now TO the conditions OF transit it il
universal rule that postage must be prepaid.
In the case of letter, however. disregard OF the
rule involves only fine of double the postage
on delivery. while open packets, if posted with
ont any stamp. will be detained and returned to
the senders. or course. every packet. other
than closed letter. is liable to examination in
the post. and nothing dangerous or offensive
may be forwarded il is also unlawful TO send
any article liable to customs dutv for the obvi-
Gus reason that no machinery exists for collect
ing such duties. except IN connection with the
parcel post. A foreign letter NAV be of any
weight. but must not exceed two feet in length,
or one foot in breadth or depth. The same di-
mansions apply TO a packet of written or printed
papers. unless sent in the form of a roll when
il may be thirty inches long and four inches i'm
diameter; bat such a packet must not weigh
more than twelve ounces. The limits of a sam
pie packet are somewhat more restricted but
ON the other hand. il may weigh as much as
twelve ounces
1t is more interesting. however. TO note the
several postal facilities beyond mere transmits
sion which the public enjoys throughout the
world Any kind of postal packet NAV be reg
istered for the sum OF I'd. and underwriters
will testify that the registered post is the safest
means OF conveyance they know. The sender
OF any registered postal packet NAV. upon paw
ing an additional fee of = "a. obtain an ac-
acknowledgement of the delivery ~ the packet
TO the addressee. ANY packet. again. which has
once paid international postage NAV be Iedi-
rected from the first to ann other address free
OF charge. and any packet may he expedited in
It's course by the payment of AN express fee for
special delivery. such fee being under the pos
tai convention 3D.. when the place of address is
near the post Office.
OF course It need hardly be said that the
simple rules thus laid down are liable TO some
modification 10 meet the ialand postal reguia-
tions Of the country Of address. Some com
trles may have no machinery for obtaining
acknowledgement of the delivery Of a let
ter for handing it 10 the adiressee
. by special messenger; il is but very re-
Gently that either service has been per
formed In this country. Registration NAV not
be everywhere very clearly understood: in
some parts OF South Africa there may even be
some haZiness as TO the distinction between a
letter and a post card. Again. a letter ad-
dressed to the interior of China must take its
chance after il has left the treaty ports and
there may be something TO pay for its ultimate
delivery. This country can Only in such cases
take any missiye intrusted 10 it subject TO all
risks
But. speaking broadly. the rules which now
govern the post tother than parcel post
throughout the civilized world are now reduced
TO uniformity and will be found laid down in
comparatively few words in the warrant inst
Issued at the instance OF Sir james Ferguson.
or the newer parcel post much cannot be
said. This country is not party To- the general
postal convention on the subject and the rates
and conditions of transit are regulated By trea-
ties framed with each country. The more bulky
the package conveyed the more difficult. no
doubt. TO establish uniform rates. But we NAV
hope that before long something may be done
to simplify this post also and to establish for
the tables Of rates and dimensions. which at
present occupy twelve pages of the Postal
Guide. a few generally applicable rates and
principles.