POST AND TELEGRAPH RATES.
No. 13 of 1902.
An Act relating to Postal and Telegraphic Rates.
[Assented to 9th September, 1902.]
BE it enacted by the King’s Most Excellent Majesty, the Senate, and the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia, as follows:—
Short title.
1. This Act may be cited as the Post and Telegraph Rates Act 1902.
Commencement.
2. This Act shall commence on a day to be fixed by proclamation.*
Incorporation.
3. This Act shall be incorporated and read as one with the Post and Telegraph Act 1901.
*Proclaimed to commence 1st November, 1902. See Gazette, 26th September, 1902.
Definition.
4. In this Act unless the contrary intention appears—
“Rate” means the fee or charge for the performance of any postal or telegraphic service.
Rates to be paid on Government correspondence.
5. Telegrams, letters, and postal articles transmitted or posted on behalf of the King, the Commonwealth Government, or any State Government shall, unless exempted by some Act, be subject to the postal and telegraphic rates for the time being in force. Subject to such regulations as the Governor-General may prescribe telegrams may be transmitted without charge on behalf of the Meteorological Department of or subsidized by a State until the establishment of a Commonwealth Meteorological Department.
Newspaper rates.
6. The rates for the conveyance of newspapers posted within the Commonwealth shall be as set out in the First Schedule to this Act.
Telegraphic rates.
7. The rates for the transmission of telegrams within the Commonwealth shall be as set out in the Second Schedule to this Act.
Braille and Moon postal articles free.
8. All Braille and Moon postal articles shall be conveyed without charge under Departmental regulations.
Limits of town and suburban telegraph rates.
9. The power of the Governor-General under section ninety-seven of the Post and Telegraph Act 1901 to make regulations shall include the power to make regulations for prescribing the limits within which the rates for town and suburban telegrams and letters shall have effect, and for prescribing charges for the porterage of telegrams.
SCHEDULES.
FIRST SCHEDULE.
Newspapers.
On all newspapers posted for delivery within the Commonwealth (without condition as to the number contained in each addressed wrapper), by registered newspaper proprietors, or by newsvendors, or returned by an agent or newsvendor to the publishing office | One penny per twenty ounces on the aggregate weight of newspapers so posted by any one person at any one time. |
On all other newspapers posted within the Commonwealth for delivery therein | For each newspaper. — One halfpenny per ten ounces, or fraction of ten ounces, avoirdupois weight. |
SECOND SCHEDULE.
Part I.—Ordinary Telegrams.
| Town and Suburban, within prescribed limits, or within fifteen miles from the sending station. | Other places within the State, except Town and Suburban. | Inter-State, i.e., from any one State to any other State. |
Including address and signature— | | | |
Not exceeding sixteen words... | Sixpence....... | Ninepence...... | One shilling |
Each additional word...... | One penny............. | One penny............. | One penny |
On telegrams from and to Tasmania the charges to be those mentioned above with cable charges added.
Double the foregoing rates to be charged for the transmission of telegrams on Sunday, Christmas Day, and Good Friday, and for “urgent” telegrams.
The foregoing rates are exclusive of porterage charges.
Part II.—Press Telegrams.
| Within any State. | Inter-State, i.e., from any one State to any other State. | Relating to Parliamentary, Executive, Departmental, and other Commonwealth Proceedings as may be prescribed. |
Not exceeding 25 words..... | Sixpence....... | One shilling | |
Exceeding 25, but not exceeding 50 words | Ninepence...... | One shilling and sixpence | |
Exceeding 50, but not exceeding 100 words | One shilling and sixpence | Three shillings | |
Every additional 50 words or portion of 50 words | Sixpence....... | One shilling | |
Within the Commonwealth. | |
Not exceeding 25 words................................ | One shilling |
Exceeding 25, but not exceeding 100 words................... | One shilling and sixpence |
Every additional 50 words or portion of 50 words............... | Sixpence |
The foregoing rates are exclusive of porterage charges.
On telegrams from and to Tasmania the charges to be those mentioned above with cable charges added.
Overview
The Post and Telegraph Rates Act 1902 was enacted to establish postal and telegraphic rates for services within Australia, addressing the need for a systematic and organised approach to the fees associated with these services. This Act was passed by the Commonwealth Parliament and assented to by the King on 9 September 1902. The primary objective of the Act is to standardise the rates for various postal and telegraphic services, including government correspondence, newspapers, and telegrams, ensuring consistency and transparency in the fees charged. The Act also specifies that rates for the conveyance of Braille and Moon postal articles are to be free, aligning with the policy objective of providing accessible communication services. The Act was incorporated with and read as one with the Post and Telegraph Act 1901, ensuring a cohesive regulatory framework for postal and telegraphic services in Australia.
Scope and Application
The Post and Telegraph Rates Act 1902 applies to the rates and charges for postal and telegraphic services within the Commonwealth of Australia, encompassing the transmission of telegrams, letters, and postal articles on behalf of the King, the Commonwealth Government, or any State Government. It stipulates that such services are subject to the rates in force unless exempted by another Act, with specific provisions allowing the Governor-General to prescribe rates for town and suburban telegrams and letters, as well as charges for the porterage of telegrams. Additionally, the Act sets out rates for the conveyance of newspapers and the transmission of telegrams within the Commonwealth, with detailed schedules outlining specific charges based on weight, distance, and word count. Exemptions include the free conveyance of Braille and Moon postal articles, and special rates are provided for telegrams transmitted on behalf of the Meteorological Department until a Commonwealth Meteorological Department is established. The Act's geographic reach is national, and its application is extended or restricted through subordinate regulations.
Key Provisions
The Post and Telegraph Rates Act 1902 primarily outlines the rates for various postal and telegraphic services within Australia. Section 1 provides the title of the Act, while Section 2 specifies its commencement, which is to be determined by proclamation. The Act is to be read in conjunction with the Post and Telegraph Act 1901, as indicated in Section 3. Section 4 defines the term "Rate" as the fee or charge for postal or telegraphic services. Section 5 stipulates that telegrams, letters, and postal articles transmitted on behalf of the King, the Commonwealth Government, or any State Government are subject to prevailing postal and telegraphic rates, unless exempted by another Act. It also allows for the transmission of telegrams without charge on behalf of the Meteorological Department of or subsidised by a State until a Commonwealth Meteorological Department is established.
The Act further details specific rates and conditions for various services. Section 6 sets out the rates for the conveyance of newspapers posted within the Commonwealth, which are detailed in the First Schedule. Section 7 outlines the rates for the transmission of telegrams within the Commonwealth, detailed in the Second Schedule. Section 8 mandates that all Braille and Moon postal articles shall be conveyed without charge under Departmental regulations. Section 9 extends the Governor-General's power under Section ninety-seven of the Post and Telegraph Act 1901 to include regulations for prescribing the limits within which town and suburban telegraph rates are effective and for setting charges for the porterage of telegrams.
The obligations under this Act primarily concern the payment of specified rates for postal and telegraphic services. Government entities and the Meteorological Department are required to adhere to these rates unless exempted by another Act. Additionally, newspaper proprietors, newsvendors, and others posting newspapers within the Commonwealth must pay the rates specified in the First Schedule. Similarly, those sending telegrams must pay the rates detailed in the Second Schedule, with additional charges for urgent telegrams or those sent on certain holidays. The Act also imposes the obligation on the Department to ensure that Braille and Moon postal articles are conveyed without charge. Failure to comply with these provisions may lead to legal consequences, though the Act itself does not explicitly state penalties for breaches.