PNG changes repurchase deal

By John Hunter

PAPUA New Guinea has joined an increasing number of countries in revising its repur chase of mint stamps. From August 1, Papua New Guinea only buys back mint stamps with a minimum face value of KlOO and charges 35 per cent commission. In the past, no minimum value applied and the commission was 20 per cent.

Such changes stop “investors” buying up quantities of new issues.

However, this has almost ceased with increases in face values of stamps worldwide and the increase in the numbcr of lssues ' Many Pacific countries have issued stamps featuring birds to coincide with Birdpex ’9O. The Philatelic exhibition was held during the 200th

Ornithhological Congress in Christ-

church, New Zealand. Birdpex ’9O

was held from December 5 to 9.

Countries which feature a bird theme included New Zealand, Norfolk Island, Papua New Guinea and Pit cairn Island.

So far Palau and Micronesia have issued stamps on the Pacifica theme of postal history and bear the Pacifica logo. Tuvalu recently announced that its planned issue has been cancelled.

Each Pacifica country watches the other to see whether to proceed. Once some of the larger countries take a lead the smaller ones follow, but none of the smaller countries can afford to take the lead in case it is left out in the cold.

In view of Australia’s decision to dispense with one and two cent coins, Norfolk Island will not be issuing stamps with values less than five cents and those not devisable by five cents.

New issues include Vanuatu’s first presentation packs, Tonga’s Banded Iguana series, Pitcairn Islands Henderson Island Birds, Fiji’s Native Timber Trees, and French Polynesia’s Tapa series, featuring ladies in mod ern fabric tapa cloth. □