POST AND TELEGRAPH RATES.
No. 24 of 1918.
An Act To Amend the Post and Telegraph Rates Act 1902-1913.
[Assented to 19th October, 1918.]
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 and citation.
1.—(1.) This Act may be cited as the Post and Telegraph Rates Act 1918.
(2) The Post and Telegraph Rates Act 1902-1913 is in this Act referred to as the Principal Act.
(3.) The Principal Act, as amended by this Act, may be cited as the Post and Telegraph Rates Act 1902-1918.
Commencement.
2. This Act shall commence on a day to be fixed by Proclamation.
3. After section six of the Principal Act the following section is inserted:—
War postage
“6a. In addition to the rates of postage prescribed by Parts I. and II. of the First Schedule to this Act, there shall be payable for the newspapers and postal articles set Out in the first column of Part III. of that Schedule, and posted within the Commonwealth for delivery therein, the rates of war postage as set out in the second column of that part.”
4. After Part II. of the First Schedule to the Principal Act the following Part is inserted:—
PART III.—WAR POSTAGE.
First Schedule Part III.
First Column. | Second Column. |
— | — |
Newspapers and Postal Articles. | Rate of War Postage. |
Newspapers posted (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 | ½d. per 20 ounces on the aggregate weight of newspapers so posted by any one person at any one time. |
Other Newspapers.................................... | ½d. per newspaper. |
Letters............................................ | ½d. per letter. |
Letter Cards........................................ | Single, ½d. each; Reply, ½d. each half. |
Post Cards......................................... | Single, ½d. each; Reply, ½d. each half. |
Packets, as prescribed, consisting of any of the other Postal articles specified in the first Column of Part II. of this Schedule | ½d. per packet. |
Overview
The Post and Telegraph Rates Act 1918, enacted by the Australian Parliament, serves to amend the existing Post and Telegraph Rates Act 1902-1913. This legislation was introduced to address the need for additional postage rates to accommodate the increased volume of mail, particularly newspapers and other postal articles, during the wartime period. The Act aims to provide a clear framework for the application of war postage rates, ensuring that these rates are clearly defined and easily understood by both postal service users and administrators. By inserting new sections and schedules into the Principal Act, the 1918 Act establishes a distinct set of war postage rates, which are intended to support the efficient and effective delivery of mail during a time of heightened demand.
Scope and Application
The Post and Telegraph Rates Act 1918 amends the Post and Telegraph Rates Act 1902-1913 by introducing specific war postage rates applicable to certain newspapers and postal articles within the Commonwealth of Australia. The Act applies to newspapers and postal articles posted by registered newspaper proprietors, newsvendors, or returned to the publishing office, as well as to other newspapers, letters, letter cards, post cards, and packets consisting of other specified postal articles. The war postage rates outlined in Part III of the First Schedule are in addition to the existing rates prescribed in Parts I and II of the Schedule. This Act commences on a date to be specified by Proclamation and applies nationally across the Commonwealth of Australia. The legislation does not explicitly state any exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds, but it does extend its application through the incorporation of specific war postage rates, which are detailed in the First Schedule of the Act.
Key Provisions
The Post and Telegraph Rates Act 1918 (C1918A00024) amends the existing Post and Telegraph Rates Act 1902-1913. This Act introduces a new section (section 6a) that sets out additional rates of postage for certain items posted within the Commonwealth during wartime (s.3). Specifically, the Act establishes a special war postage rate for newspapers and postal articles listed in Part III of the First Schedule (s.4). The rates for newspapers, letters, letter cards, post cards, and packets are detailed in this new part of the schedule.
The Act imposes obligations on registered newspaper proprietors, newsvendors, and other entities posting the specified items within the Commonwealth to pay the war postage rates as outlined (s.3). The rates apply to newspapers posted by registered newspaper proprietors or newsvendors, as well as those returned to the publishing office by an agent or newsvendor, and to other newspapers, letters, letter cards, post cards, and packets (s.4). This means that anyone posting these items must ensure they are charged the appropriate war postage rate.
Breaches of the Act may result in civil or criminal consequences. While the Act does not specify particular offences or penalties, it is likely that failure to adhere to the war postage rates could be prosecuted under existing postal laws. The maximum penalties for such breaches could potentially include fines and other legal repercussions, as governed by the broader framework of Australian postal legislation. It is important for entities to comply with these provisions to avoid any legal issues arising from non-compliance.