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No. 33.— Parcel Post Convention with Canada. It is recommended that a direct exchange between the Colonies and Canada be established, the rates of postage to be uniform in all the Colonies, either Is. 2c?. or Is. 3d. per lb. as Canada may advise, the New South Wales share to be sd. per lb. on first lb. and Ad. on each additional lb. on parcels sent loose in Mails from other Colonies, but if sent in closed Mails, the New South Wales share to be Id. per lb. for territorial transit and 2d. per lb. for sea rate. 34. Parcel Post Convention with France. In July last the London Post Office informed the Colonies that the French Post Office desired a direct exchange of parcels between France and Australia by the French Mail Steamers (Messageries Maritimes), and, the proposal having been approved of by the Home Authorities, forwarded a draft Convention and Regulations for consideration of the Colonies. We have considered the Draft submitted, and recommend that its provisions be agreed to, but that the following suggestions be made:— Article 6. That no fee for porterage and for the execution of Customs formalities be collected in the Colonies from the addressees of parcels from France. Article 14. That the introduction of the system of acknowledgments of delivery of parcels remain in abeyance until the system be adopted generally Regulation 2. That the postage progress pound by pound, instead of in steps of 2 lbs., 7 lbs., and 11 lbs., as more consistent with the Colonial and English practice. Regulation 6-3. That the Customs declaration forms be drawn up in the English language, and bear a sublineary translation in French, as is done with Postal Union forms. Regulation 8-3. That the provision that mails "be landed as far as possible at the Custom House " be omitted as unnecessary, as Customs work is done at the Post Offices. That it be provided that the cost of receptacles be shared equally between the countries of exchange. Regulation 12. That in lieu of this a simple regulation providing for the preparation of a quarterly account, and for the payment of the balance due as early as possible after the same has been ascertained, be substituted. No. 35. — Redirection of Parcel Post Packets. With reference to a letter from the Calcutta Post" Office of 7th August, 1894, on the subject of Redirection of Parcels, we recommend that the Colonies agree to the substitution of Article 14 of the Union Convention which provides for payment being made in all cases of redirection of parcels to other Postal Administrations, or of their return (owing to non-delivery) to the office of origin, in lieu of Article 2 of the existing arrangement between the two countries. No. 36.— Reduction of Commission on Money Orders to United Kingdom. The London Office wrote suggesting a reduction of Australian Rates on Money Orders to the United Kingdom. The rates in Great Britain and the Colonies are as follows: — Rates charged in United Kingdom. INLAND MONEY ORDERS. For sums not over £1 £2. £4. £7. £10. the charge is 'Id. 3d. 4d. M. 6d. FOREIGN MONEY ORDERS. For sums not over £2. £5. £7 £10. the charge is. .. 6c?. Is. Is. 6d. 2s.

The Rates of Commission charged in the various Colonies on Money Orders issued on the United Kingdom are as follows:—

Colony To £2. To £5. To £7 To £10. louth Australia and West Australia r ictoria, New South Wales, and Tasmania. Iβ. Is. 2.S. 2s. 6d. 3*. 3s. 6d. 4s. 5s. To £2. To £4. To £6. To £8. To £10. Queensland and New Zealand .... Iβ. 2s. 3.9. 4.:,. 5*. We are of opinion that although our rates are s< ;ime for making any reduction. •mewliat Ligli, the present i: not an ipportune