POST AND TELEGRAPH RATES.
No. 16 of 1923.
An Act to amend the Post and Telegraph Rates Act 1902-1920.
[Assented to 1st September, 1923.]
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 1923.
(2.) The Post and Telegraph Rates Act 1902–1920 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 1902-1923.
Commencement.
2. This Act shall commence on a date to be fixed by proclamation.
Part I.—Newspapers.
3. Part I. of the First Schedule to the Principal Act is amended by omitting therefrom the words—
“On other newspapers posted within the Commonwealth for delivery therein | For each newspaper—One penny per ten ounces or part of ten ounces “ |
and inserting in their stead the words—
“On newspapers, printed and published in Australia, posted (otherwise than as specified in the foregoing provisions of this Part) within the Commonwealth for delivery therein | For each newspaper—One penny per ten ounces or part of ten ounces, provided that the postage on a package containing more than one newspaper shall not be higher than that chargeable on a package of printed papers of the same weight”. |
Part II.—Postal articles.
4. Part II. of the First Schedule to the Principal Act is repealed and the following Part inserted in its stead:—
Part II.—Postal Articles.
First Column. — Postal Articles. | Second Column. — Rates of Postage. |
Letters.................................. | 1½d. per 1 oz. |
Letter Cards............................... | Single, l½d. each Reply, l½d. each half |
Post Cards................................ | Single, 1d. each Reply, 1d. each half |
Commercial papers, patterns, samples, and merchandise, as prescribed | 1d. per 2 oz. or part of 2 oz. |
Printed papers (including books, magazines and newspapers not wholly set up and printed in Australia), as prescribed | 1d. per 4 oz. or part of 4 oz. |
Books printed in Australia, except as prescribed | 1d. per 8 oz. or part of 8 oz. |
Magazines, reviews, and other similar publications, wholly set up and printed in Australia, and published for sale in numbers at intervals not exceeding three months and posted in covers each containing not more than one magazine, review or publication | 1d. per 8 oz. or part of 8 oz. |
Catalogues wholly set up and printed in Australia | 1d. per 4 oz. or part of 4 oz. |
Hansard, that is, reports of Parliamentary debates printed and published by the authority of the Commonwealth or of a State | 1d. per 12 oz. or part of 12 oz. |
Overview
The Post and Telegraph Rates Act 1923 was enacted to amend the existing Post and Telegraph Rates Act 1902-1920, addressing the need for updated and more detailed postal rates and regulations in response to the evolving nature of postal services and the increased volume of mail being handled. This Act was passed by the Australian Parliament and received royal assent on 1st September 1923. Its primary policy objective was to provide a comprehensive and fair system of postage rates that reflected the changing demands of the postal service while also promoting the growth and distribution of Australian-made printed materials.
The Act introduced amendments to the rates for newspapers posted within Australia, ensuring that postage on packages containing multiple newspapers would not exceed that of printed papers of the same weight. Furthermore, it replaced the previous rates for postal articles with a more detailed and structured set of rates, differentiating between various types of mail such as letters, postcards, commercial papers, and printed materials. The Act aimed to provide a clear and consistent framework for postal rates, facilitating efficient mail delivery and supporting the growth of Australian publishing and commerce.
Scope and Application
The Post and Telegraph Rates Act 1923 amends the Post and Telegraph Rates Act 1902-1920 to update and specify the rates for postage of various postal articles within Australia. This Act applies to the Commonwealth of Australia, thereby affecting all entities and individuals sending postal articles within its jurisdiction. It modifies the rates for postage on newspapers, letters, postcards, commercial papers, printed papers, books, magazines, and other publications, taking into account their origin and content. Notably, the Act provides preferential rates for items printed and published in Australia. The Act's reach is limited to the Commonwealth, with no mention of state or territory-specific exclusions or exemptions. The application of this Act may be extended or restricted through subordinate instruments, although the text does not explicitly detail these provisions.
Key Provisions
The Post and Telegraph Rates Act 1923 amends the Post and Telegraph Rates Act 1902-1920, which is now referred to as the Principal Act. The amendments made by this Act introduce new rates for postage on newspapers and postal articles. Section 3 modifies the postage rates for newspapers, now specifying a rate of one penny per ten ounces or part of ten ounces for newspapers printed and published in Australia. It also ensures that the postage on a package containing multiple newspapers does not exceed that of a package of printed papers of the same weight. Section 4 repeals the former Part II of the Principal Act and replaces it with new rates for various postal articles. These new rates vary depending on the type of item being sent, such as letters, letter cards, post cards, commercial papers, patterns, samples, merchandise, printed papers, books, magazines, catalogues, and Hansard.
The Act imposes obligations on postal service providers and users to adhere to the specified rates for different types of postal items. Postal service providers must charge the appropriate rates as outlined in the Act, and users must ensure that their items are correctly classified and appropriately franked to avoid any discrepancies in postage. Additionally, the Act requires printed and published materials to be clearly identified as being printed and published in Australia to qualify for the reduced postage rates.
Breaches of this Act can result in various consequences. While specific offences and penalties are not detailed in the excerpt provided, it is common for postal legislation to include provisions for fines or other penalties for non-compliance. In similar legislative contexts, penalties can range from fines for under-franking to more severe penalties for fraudulent activities. The maximum penalties would depend on the specific nature of the breach and could potentially involve civil or criminal sanctions, as outlined in other sections of the Principal Act or related legislation.