Post and Telegraph Regulations 1913 (Amendment)

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1918, No. 306, is a legislative instrument under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1916, enacted by the Governor-General in the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council. This regulation aims to amend the existing Post and Telegraph Regulations of 1913, specifically to introduce a new regulation regarding the transfer of private mail-bag services. The problem or gap addressed by this regulation is the need to provide flexibility and convenience to holders of private mail-bags, enabling them to transfer their services either between different post offices within the Commonwealth or to different mail routes radiating from the same post office, subject to the payment of specified fees. This regulation, effective immediately, is designed to streamline the process of service transfer for private mail-bag holders, thereby enhancing the efficiency and adaptability of postal services in Australia.

Scope and Application

The regulation introduced by Statutory Rules 1918, No. 306 amends the Post and Telegraph Regulations 1913 to allow the transfer of private mail-bag services within the Commonwealth. This applies to individuals or entities that hold a private mail-bag and wish to transfer their mail services either from one post office to another within the same Commonwealth or from one mail route to another that originates from the same post office. The regulation is applicable throughout the Commonwealth of Australia, and it imposes a specific fee structure for these transfers, namely Two Shillings for inter-post office transfers and One Shilling for intra-post office mail route changes. This legislative instrument extends the application of the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1916 by introducing additional administrative flexibility for private mail-bag holders while ensuring that the necessary fees are paid for the service transfer.

Key Provisions

The Post and Telegraph Regulations 1918, introduced under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1916, introduces specific provisions concerning the transfer of private mail-bag services. Regulation 173b allows for the transfer of a private mail-bag service from one post office to another within the Commonwealth, or from one mail route to another originating from the same post office, subject to the payment of specified fees (s. 173b). The fee for transferring service between post offices within the Commonwealth is set at Two Shillings, while the fee for transferring service between mail routes radiating from the same post office is One Shilling. The Act imposes certain obligations on the parties involved in the transfer of private mail-bag services. Firstly, the holder of a private mail-bag must ensure that the transfer is conducted in accordance with the specified regulations and fee structure. This includes the payment of the prescribed fee at the time of requesting the transfer. Additionally, the relevant post office authorities are obligated to facilitate the transfer as per the holder's request, provided the requisite fee is paid. Non-compliance with the regulations can lead to various consequences. While the specific offences and penalties are not detailed within the regulation itself, it is implicit that failure to adhere to the prescribed procedures and fee payments could result in administrative actions. These may include the denial of the transfer request or other disciplinary measures taken by the postal authorities. The precise nature of any additional penalties or legal consequences would typically be governed by broader postal regulations or the overarching Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1916.