POST AND TELEGRAPH RATES.
No. 54 of 1941.
An Act to amend the Post and Telegraph Rates Act 1902–1940.
[Assented to 3rd December, 1941.]
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 1941.
(2.) The Post and Telegraph Rates Act 1902–1940 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 1902–1941.
Commencement.
2. This Act shall come into operation on a date 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 set out in Parts I. and II of the First Schedule to this Act, there shall be payable the rates of war postage set out in Part III. of that Schedule.”.
First Schedule.
4. After Part II. of the First Schedule to the Principal Act the following Part is added:—
“Part III.
First Column. | Second Column. |
Postal Articles. | Rates of War Postage. |
Newspapers registered at a General Post Office posted (without condition as to the number contained in each addressed wrapper) by— | One half-penny per twenty ounces or part of twenty ounces on the aggregate weight of newspapers posted by any one person at any one time |
(a) the proprietors thereof to bona fide subscribers and to newsvendors and agents for the purpose of sale; and |
(b) newsvendors and agents to bona fide subscribers, and to other newsvendors and agents for the purpose of sale |
Periodicals registered at a General Post Office posted (without condition as to the number contained in each addressed wrapper) by— | One half-penny per sixteen ounces or part of sixteen ounces on the aggregate weight of periodicals posted by any one person at any one time |
(a) the proprietors thereof to bona fide subscribers and to newsvendors and agents for the purpose of sale: and |
(b) newsvendors and agents to bona fide subscribers, and to other newsvendors and agents for the purpose of sale |
Letters....................................... | One half-penny per letter |
Lettercards.................................... | One half-penny per letter-card |
Postcards..................................... | One half-penny per postcard |
Second Class Mail Matter— | |
(a) Commercial papers, patterns samples and merchandise as prescribed | One half-penny per postal article |
(b) Printed matter (including printed papers, circulars and catalogues and books, periodicals and newspapers not registered at a General Post Office) as prescribed | One half-penny per postal article |
Third Class Mail Matter (comprising books, periodicals and newspapers registered at a General Post Office posted otherwise than as specified in Part I. of this Schedule) as prescribed | One half-penny per postal article |
Hansard, that is reports of Parliamentary debates printed and published by the authority of the Commonwealth or of a State | One half-penny per postal article”. |
Overview
The Post and Telegraph Rates Act 1941 was enacted to amend the Post and Telegraph Rates Act 1902–1940, responding to the need for adjustments in postage rates during wartime. Enacted by the Parliament of Australia, this Act introduced specific war postage rates outlined in a new Part III of the First Schedule, addressing the increased costs associated with mail services during the war. The policy objective was to ensure that the postal service could continue to operate effectively under the financial strains of the war, while also maintaining the flow of essential communications and information. This Act aimed to establish a fair and structured method for charging war postage rates, ensuring both the viability of the postal service and the affordability for the public.
Scope and Application
The Post and Telegraph Rates Act 1941, as amended, applies to the Commonwealth of Australia and pertains to the regulation of postage and telegraph rates, including the imposition of additional war postage rates during times of conflict. The Act governs the rates applicable to various forms of mail and postal articles, with specific emphasis on wartime conditions. It applies to individuals and entities that engage in the posting of mail, such as proprietors, newsvendors, and agents for the purpose of sale, as well as to the general public for personal correspondence. The Act’s jurisdictional reach is limited to the Commonwealth, and its provisions extend to all activities and transactions involving the postal service within Australia. The Act includes specific exclusions and thresholds, particularly regarding the imposition of war postage rates as outlined in the First Schedule. Additionally, the Act allows for the extension or restriction of its application through subordinate instruments, such as proclamations or regulations, which can specify the effective date of the Act or further detail the implementation of war postage rates.
Key Provisions
The Post and Telegraph Rates Act 1941 introduces new provisions concerning war postage rates, inserting a new section 6a (section 3) and adding a Part III to the First Schedule of the Principal Act (section 4). This new Part III outlines specific war postage rates applicable to various types of postal articles, including newspapers, periodicals, letters, lettercards, postcards, and different classes of mail matter (section 4). The Act specifies that these war postage rates apply in addition to the existing rates set out in Parts I and II of the First Schedule (section 3).
The Act imposes obligations on the parties involved in the mailing of postal articles during wartime. It requires that war postage rates be applied to the categories of postal articles listed in Part III of the First Schedule (section 4). Specifically, the proprietors of newspapers and periodicals must pay the prescribed war postage rates when mailing these items to bona fide subscribers, newsvendors, and agents for the purpose of sale (section 4). Similarly, newsvendors and agents must also pay the specified war postage rates when mailing these items to bona fide subscribers and other newsvendors or agents (section 4). The Act ensures that these rates are applied uniformly across the specified categories of mail, irrespective of the number of items contained in each addressed wrapper (section 4).
Failure to comply with the war postage requirements outlined in this Act may result in legal consequences. Although the Act does not explicitly detail the penalties for non-compliance, it is implied that breaches of these provisions could lead to civil or administrative penalties. Given the context of wartime legislation, non-compliance might also attract criminal penalties under related laws if it is deemed to impede the war effort. The specific penalties would depend on the broader legal framework and the severity of the non-compliance.