Vanuatu has issued its own postage stamps since 1980 and has been a member of the Universal Postal Union since 1982. Until 1888, the archipelago had no regular communications with Australia or the other Pacific colonies. In 1888, a supply line was opened between the New Hebrides and Sydney, connecting both the British and the French with Europe. Postage stamps from New South Wales and, occasionally, France were used to pay for postage. The stamps were canceled with either Sydney or Noumea postmarks.