Post and Telegraph Regulations 1913 (Amendment)

Overview

The amended Regulation under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1916, which came into operation forthwith on 10th September 1919, was enacted to address the need for updated postal regulations in the evolving communications landscape of the time. This legislative instrument was made by the Governor-General, acting on the advice of the Federal Executive Council, and signed by the Postmaster-General, William Webster. Regulation 82, in particular, was amended to specify that three copies of the latest issue and one copy of each of the two last preceding issues must be provided, replacing the previous requirement of two copies. This change aimed to ensure that postal regulations kept pace with the demands of contemporary communication practices and maintain the efficiency and reliability of postal services.

Scope and Application

The amended regulation under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1916, as detailed in Statutory Rules 1919, No. 226, applies to entities involved in the distribution and handling of postal services within the Commonwealth of Australia. This includes Postmasters, local post offices, and any other entities engaged in the activities governed by the Post and Telegraph Act. The regulation specifically modifies the requirements for the number of copies of official publications that must be retained and made available, transitioning from two to three copies of the latest issue and one copy of each of the two last preceding issues. This adjustment is intended to ensure the availability of necessary documents and records within the postal service framework. The regulation's reach is confined to the Commonwealth, and it does not extend to state or territory jurisdictions, thus maintaining a unified standard across Australia. While the primary text does not detail explicit exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds, the regulation's focus on record-keeping and document retention suggests a broad application to all relevant entities within its scope.

Key Provisions

The key provision of the legislative instrument C1919L00226, which amends the Post and Telegraph Regulations 1913, involves Regulation 82. Specifically, sub-paragraph (c) of Regulation 82 is amended to change the requirement from "two copies" to "three copies of the latest issue, and one copy of each of the two last preceding issues." This means that, going forward, the regulations now mandate that three copies of the most recent publication must be provided, along with one copy of each of the two publications that immediately precede the latest one. The requirement for the additional copy of the latest issue aims to ensure wider distribution and accessibility of the most current information. This amendment imposes certain obligations on parties governed by the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1916. Publishers and distributors of the relevant publications must now ensure that they provide the correct number of copies as stipulated by the amended Regulation 82. This involves not only increasing the number of copies of the latest issue but also maintaining a stock of the two preceding issues. Such compliance is necessary to meet the regulatory standards set forth by the Act. Failure to comply with the provisions of the amended Regulation 82 could potentially lead to legal consequences. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the legislative instrument, breaches of regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1916 could generally result in civil or criminal penalties, depending on the severity and intent of the breach. These consequences could range from fines to more severe sanctions, depending on the jurisdiction and the specific nature of the non-compliance. It is imperative for those affected by this regulation to adhere to the new requirements to avoid any legal repercussions.