A Real League of Nations.

The only effective—definitely effective—League of Nations at present is the International Postal Union in which all countries of the world are represented. The latest member is the newly-created Vatican State, which was admitted several years ago.

This world-wide Union, which meets every five years, uses French as the international language for all discussions and for the official reports, big well-bound volumes which are sent to each member.

Mr. G. McNamara, secretary of the Post and Telegraph Department, who represented New Zealand at the last meeting of the big Union, speaks highly of the great spirit of service shewn by the envoys and their eagerness to be mutually helpful. Of course, differences of opinion occur on various matters, but once a vote is taken the will of the majority is accepted without argument, and that decision becomes international law immediately, in accordance with the International Convention.

Among the various agreements, the chief one is that each of the countries comprising the Union must undertake to give the best possible speed to the mail. Whatever disputes countries may be having about other matters the mail must not be hindered. On it must go by the best available despatch, except that a country is not obliged to use costly air service unless special provision is made for such transport.

Another agreement requires that green must be the colour in all countries for the ½d. stamp (or the equivalent of ½d.); red for the 1d.; blue for the 2 ½d. (the highest rate for international letter postage).