33

" Terms cash, in advance." " Inspector of British and Foreign newspapers, &c." " Terms 2-J per cent, discount on cash." We are of opinion that any printed or written memorandum detached from the invoice or account cannot be admitted even if in the foregoing terms. On subsection (j) of the recommendation — The Hon. J. G. WARD (N.Z.) : I would like to have an understanding with respect to subsection if), and to prevent the necessity for continuously settling disputes it would be well to be agreed as to the practice of marking invoices with rubber stamps. If it is not decided that such marks are printed the question as to whether they are included in the word " printed" or not should be settled. Thousands of these rubber stamps are used, and I think we should provide for this difficulty. Mr. C TODD (S.A.) : The difficulty would be met by inserting the words " whether printed or impressed by rubber or other stamp " after the word " notices," in tho 4th line of the subsection. I move that as an amendment upon the recommendation. The Hon. J. G. WARD : I second that amendment. Amendment agreed to. On the motion of the PRESIDENT, the whole of the report to the end of the 23rd recommendation was adopted. The following recommendations were formally agreed to : — 24. Unclaimed Letters, &c. (a) Intercolonial detention— We recommend that the course recommended at the Hobart Conference, page 23, item 22, be adhered to. (b) Special request letters returnable direct to senders — We recommend that present practice be continued. 25. Sea Transit Rates. (a) Between Australia, Tasmania, and New Zealand, on foreign mails (proposed reduction from -|d. per letter and 3s. per cwt. to Union rates) — Consideration deferred until the laws of some of the colonies are altered, which laws provide for a fixed charge. (b) On mails from New Zealand landed at first port in Australia for further conveyance to destination — New Zealand has only to pay when mails go beyond Australia. 26. France's Proposal re "Round the World" Letters. We quite concur with France that it is not the function of the Post Office to undertake the duty for the sole purpose of satisfying curiosity of sending letters round the world to fictitious addresses with the view to ultimately coming back to the senders, and we recommend that letters so posted be returned to the senders when practicable. 27. Postal Note System with the United Kingdom. The London Office having absolutely refused to exchange postal notes with Australia, we have no recommendation to make. 28. Special Trains from Adelaide with English Mails (re Payment). This is a matter which concerns only the Departments of Victoria. New South Wales, and Queensland, and we advise it be left to the Victorian Department to correspond on the subject. 29. Demonetization of Stamps (Inquiry by New South Wales). We recommend that the present practice of the colonies be adhered to—namely, all obsolete postage stamps in the hands of the Department be destroyed, but that those in the hands of the public be still available (Western Australia dissenting). • 30. Reduction of Postage from the United Kingdom. On recommendation 30, as follows : — "We think it is undesirable to make any recommendation on this subject. It is a question, which, in our opinion, can only be considered as a matter of policy ; but we would point out that any further reduction would unquestionably lead to a large loss of revenue, and would certainly involve a reduction of inland and intercolonial rates"— Mr. C. TODD (S.A.) said: This deals purely with a matter of policy. Mr. Henniker Heaton and others are strongly urging the London Post Office to reduce their rate on letters to Id., whether the colonies agree to lower their rate or not. The question for us is whether it would be desirable to have letters coming out from England as fully prepaid at Id. without also lowering our rates. The 0