STATUTORY RULES.
1920. No. 144.
REGULATION UNDER THE POST AND TELEGRAPH ACT 1901-1916.
I, THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, hereby make the following Regulation under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1916, to come into operation as from 12th July, 1920.
Dated this nineteenth day of August, 1920.
R. M. FERGUSON,
Governor-General.
By His Excellency’s Command,
GEO. H. WISE,
Postmaster-General.
Amendment of the Post and Telegraph Regulations 1913.
(Statutory Rules 1913, No. 348, as amended to this date.)
Regulation 276 is amended by omitting the item “Philippine Islands” from the table of rates of commission, and inserting the following item in its stead:—
Philippine Islands—
(a) In the case of amounts not exceeding £1, 6d. for every 2s. or fraction thereof;
(b) In the case of amounts exceeding £1, for each £1, 5s.; and for any odd amount less than £1, 6d. for every 2s. or fraction thereof.
Printed and Published for the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia by Albert J. Mullett, Government Printer for the State of Victoria.
Overview
Statutory Rules 1920 No. 144, made under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1916, was enacted to address the need for updated commission rates for postal services to the Philippine Islands. This legislative instrument was introduced to provide a revised structure for the charges associated with postal commissions, reflecting changes in the economic environment and postal service requirements. The regulation was enacted by the Governor-General in Council, acting on the advice of the Federal Executive Council, with the intention of ensuring that the postal service rates remain fair and efficient. The policy objective behind this regulation was to maintain an updated and accurate set of commission rates for the efficient operation of postal services to the specified region, thereby ensuring the smooth functioning of postal communications between Australia and the Philippines.
Scope and Application
The Regulation under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1916, as specified in Statutory Rules 1920, No. 144, amends the Post and Telegraph Regulations 1913 to adjust the rates of commission applicable to transactions involving the Philippine Islands. This amendment is particularly concerned with modifying the financial charges for postal services and commissions associated with the transmission of money orders and similar transactions. The changes set out in the Regulation are aimed at ensuring that the rates accurately reflect the costs and services provided, thereby updating the framework within which these financial transactions are governed. The regulation is applicable to any entity or individual engaged in postal services and financial transactions that involve the transmission of funds to or from the Philippine Islands, thereby ensuring that the updated rates are applied uniformly across all relevant communications and transactions.
The scope of this Regulation is national, applying to all persons and entities involved in postal services within the Commonwealth of Australia. The changes pertain specifically to the financial arrangements and commissions associated with transactions between Australia and the Philippine Islands. While the Regulation is limited to these financial adjustments, it extends its application through subordinate instruments that might further detail the implementation and enforcement of these new rates. The Regulation does not explicitly state exclusions or exemptions, thereby indicating that the updated rates apply broadly to all relevant transactions unless otherwise specified in related legislative or administrative provisions.
Key Provisions
The Regulation under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1916, which came into operation on 12th July 1920, primarily amends the Post and Telegraph Regulations 1913, specifically Regulation 276 (section 1). This amendment pertains to the rates of commission for postal services to and from the Philippine Islands. The regulation modifies the commission rates, replacing the previous charge for the Philippine Islands with a new structure that charges six pence for every two shillings or fraction thereof for amounts not exceeding £1, and five shillings for every £1 for amounts exceeding £1, with an additional six pence for any odd amount less than £1 (section 2).
The obligations and requirements imposed by this Act on the parties involved, particularly the postal service providers and the government, include the implementation of the new commission rates specified in the Regulation. This means that postal service providers must now charge and account for the revised rates when handling mail to and from the Philippine Islands. The government, through the Postmaster-General, is responsible for ensuring that these new rates are correctly applied and enforced. Compliance with these rates is crucial for maintaining accurate financial records and ensuring the correct handling of postal services.
Failure to comply with the new commission rates outlined in the Regulation may lead to various consequences. While the specific offences and penalties are not detailed in the text provided, it is reasonable to infer that breaches of postal regulations could result in penalties under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1916. Such penalties might include fines or other administrative sanctions. Historically, postal regulations have been enforced rigorously to ensure the integrity and efficiency of postal services, and non-compliance could lead to significant repercussions for both service providers and the government.