Post and Telegraph Regulations 1913 (Amendment)

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1920, No. 182, introduced by the Governor-General in Council, amends the Post and Telegraph Regulations 1913 to adjust the rates of commission for postal services between Australia and the United States of America, including Hawaii or Sandwich Islands, and the Philippine Islands. This regulation was enacted to address discrepancies in postal fees and ensure the accurate and fair charging of commissions for international mail services. The objective is to streamline the postal rates and improve the efficiency of international postal transactions, thereby facilitating better communication and trade between Australia and the specified regions. The regulation came into effect on 1st September, 1920, and was authorised by the Postmaster-General, George H. Wise, as part of his duties under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1916.

Scope and Application

The Statutory Rules 1920, No. 182, made under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1916, provides for amendments to the Post and Telegraph Regulations 1913, impacting the rates of commission for postal services to certain overseas destinations. Specifically, Regulation 276 is amended to change the commission rates for postal services to the United States of America, including Hawaii or the Sandwich Islands, and the Philippine Islands. This regulation applies to all persons or entities involved in the transmission of postal items to these regions, thereby affecting the postal industry and any transactions involving such transmissions within the Commonwealth of Australia. The amended rates establish a tiered commission structure based on the amount of the postal item, with different rates applying to amounts under and over £1. This regulation is effective from 1 September 1920, and its application is confined to the geographic regions specified within the amendment. No exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds are explicitly mentioned in the text of the regulation itself, although the application of these rates is contingent upon the postal service providers and the nature of the transactions they facilitate.

Key Provisions

The regulation made under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1916 primarily concerns amendments to the Post and Telegraph Regulations 1913, specifically altering the rates of commission for mail sent to the United States of America, including Hawaii or Sandwich Islands, and the Philippine Islands (Regulation 276). For amounts up to £1, the commission is set at 9d. for every 2s. or fraction of 2s., with a maximum of 6s. 9d. For amounts exceeding £1, the commission is 6s. 9d. for every £1, and for any odd amount less than £1, it reverts to 9d. for every 2s. or fraction of 2s., again with a maximum of 6s. 9d. The obligations imposed by this regulation are primarily on postal service providers and the Department of Post and Telegraph, ensuring that they adhere to the newly specified rates of commission when handling mail to the United States of America and the Philippine Islands. This includes updating their systems and documentation to reflect these changes and ensuring that the correct fees are applied to all relevant mail items. Breaches of this regulation may result in financial penalties or other administrative consequences. Although the specific penalties are not detailed within the text of this regulation, under the Post and Telegraph Act, violations could lead to fines or other legal actions. For instance, postal service providers may be liable for undercharging or overcharging customers, which could incur financial penalties or necessitate refunds or corrections to affected parties. Additionally, the Department of Post and Telegraph may face oversight or enforcement actions if the new rates are not correctly implemented or enforced across the postal service.